Student plunged 500 feet to her death in front of friend who clung on to bush at popular tourist spot

A student who was in her final year at college fell to her death while rock climbing with one of her friends.

Eve McCarthy, of Ireland, was just 21-years-old when she plunged 500ft to her death on Friday (January 10) while vacationing at a popular tourist spot near Malaga, Spain.

The physiology student, who was studying at University College Dublin, was journeying through the infamous Caminito del Rey walkway - which boasts stunning views of the Spanish hillsides.

Eve McCarthy tragically fell to her death while rock climbing with a friend (LinkedIn)

While hiking an area known to rock climbers as the 'Swiss sector', close the the 'Arabic Staircase', McCarthy and her male friend are understood to have accidentally gone off the route.

When they realized they attempted to descend the rocky terrain, but that's when tragedy struck.

While scaling the mountainside, the pair lost their balance and went over the side of the ravine, McCarthy's friend told the local police force.

The two both fell together but her climbing partner managed to survive the tumble as he gripped onto a rock that was slightly stuck out and covered in bushes, while McCarthy was unable to do so.

The 21-year-old and her friend had accidentally hiked off route on the Caminito del Rey pathway, close to El Chorro (Google Maps)

A call was made to the emergency services shortly after 7pm on Friday and her body was recovered by authorities after she had fallen roughly 500ft into the ravine.

Tributes have poured in for McCarthy, who worked at The Kings Inn, in Dalkey - a coastal village on the southeast of Dublin.

Taking to Facebook, the pub posted: "It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we inform you of the sad death of our colleague & friend Eve McCarthy.

"Eve was a big part of The King's Inn family bringing so much joy and laughter with her fun loving way of life. Eve had great wit and was always so bubbly with a beautiful smile.

Tributes have poured in for McCarthy (Facebook/The Kings Inn)

"We will miss Eve more than words can express. RIP Eve."

"Absolutely heartbreaking news a beautiful person with a fantastic personality and cheeky smile!! The kings lit up when she worked. Gone far too soon. RIP Eve," one person commented on the social media post.

And another customer paid their respects, typing: "Beautiful girl so polite and always smiling devastating that she’s taken so soon . Condolences to her family friends and all the staff at Kings."

If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].