Star gymnast falls 260 feet to her death 'while taking a selfie' at popular tourist spot

A pro gymnast tragically died while taking a selfie at a castle location in Germany.

Natalie Stichova was a Czech athlete who was sightseeing at the castle that inspired Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty hit film.

The 23-year-old is said to have fell near the Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany on 15 August.

According to reports, she fell 80 metres down the Tegelberg Mountain as she tried to take a snap for Instagram.

A friend of Natalie's explained to local media that the gymnast had been standing very close to the edge of the mountain when she slipped.

The friend said: "She fell from a height of about 80 metres. We will never find out whether she slipped or whether a piece of the rock edge broke off."

Natalie had been with two friends and her boyfriend, David, when she fell off the mountain which police described as a ‘challenging climb.’

She was taking a selfie at the time of the fall. (Newsflash)

Local media reported that Natalie survived the fall with life-threatening injuries, before being airlifted to the hospital, where she was taken off life support just days later.

Her family made the decision after it was found that she suffered irreversible brain damage, and she was pronounced dead on 21 August.

Her club, Sokol Pribram Sports Gymnastics, shared their shock and anguish, which was obtained by Newsflash.

It read: "With deep sorrow, we announce that our wonderful friend, gymnast, representative, and coach, Natalka Stichova, has left us forever due to a tragic accident.

"She lost her fight for life on 21st August at 5:30am.

"Natalka spread smiles throughout her short life, and that is how we will remember her forever.

"We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and close friends, sending them strength and support.

"To honor Natalka's memory, you are welcome to light a candle at our gymnasium."

Her mother also said, as per Newsflash: "There is no one who didn't love her. Our Natálie was the sweetest person."

However, this isn’t the first fall at the historic Neuschwanstein Castle.

Natalie Stichova died on 21 August due to extensive brain damage . (Newsflash)

Troy Bohling, 31, was convicted of the rape and murder of his 21-year-old victim Eva Liu and threw her off and into a ravine along with her friend Kelsey Chang, 23, in June last year.

Bohling, from Michigan State, USA, is said to have convinced the women to join him at the viewing point before launching his horrid attack on the poor women.

While both women were rushed to hospital, Eva could not be saved and died from her injuries.

Chang survived and Bohling was sentenced to life for murder and rape in March this year.

Bavarian police said in a statement at the time: “The man then steered the two under a pretext to a trail that was difficult to see, which leads to a viewpoint.

“According to the current state of knowledge, an attempted sexual offence to the detriment of the 21-year-old must be assumed.”

“The younger of the two women was attacked by the suspect,” police spokesman Holger Stabik told the AP.

“The older one tried to rush to her aid, was then choked by the suspect and subsequently pushed down a slope.”