Valentina Stragliotto, a 27-year-old digital marketing specialist from Brighton, died on Thursday, September 24, after slipping from a boulder at Kithal Ella waterfall near Ella, Sri Lanka. She fell more than 30 metres onto rocks and was pronounced dead upon arrival at Demodara Hospital.
Accident details and rescue
According to Sri Lankan media reports citing police, Valentina was visiting the waterfall with a friend when she lost her balance while standing on a boulder. Rescuers rushed her to Demodara Hospital with serious injuries, but medical staff pronounced her dead on admission.
Ella Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fall. The waterfall is a popular spot near the tourist town of Ella, a renowned destination for hikers and nature lovers in Sri Lanka's hill country.
Victim's background and career
Valentina was originally from Bassano del Grappa, in Italy's northern province of Vicenza, but had lived in Brighton for several years. She worked as a senior search engine optimisation and online advertising specialist, and was also a certified confidence coach running Aligned & Free, a business that helps people overcome self-doubt and become more assertive at work.
She had spoken at the BrightonSEO conference and served on the British Interactive Media Association's Young Talent Council. Valentina also worked as a group travel coordinator for WeRoad, although the Sri Lanka holiday was a private trip rather than one she was leading. Her company profile noted that she had visited 33 countries and spoke French, Italian, English and Spanish.
Tributes and community response
Describing her love of the outdoors, Valentina had written: "My place is in nature. I love hiking and climbing and I especially love waterfalls." She also listed climbing, dancing and discovering different cultures among her passions, adding that she was "always up for an adventure or a good party".
Tributes have been paid to the keen traveller, who had competed in gymnastics and tennis while growing up in Italy. Former classmate Rafael Marchese said news of her death had left him "speechless" and filled with "great sorrow". A colleague at WeRoad said the team was "shocked" by the tragedy.
Bassano del Grappa mayor Nicola Finco offered his condolences to Valentina's family, saying the death of a young person was a "deep wound" for the whole community. Investigations into the circumstances of her fall are ongoing.
