A young woman who fell 20 meters while taking photos of a waterfall has been identified as a medical graduate.
Ujvala Vemuru, in her twenties, was walking with friends in Lamington National Park in the Gold Coast hinterland on Saturday afternoon when the group stopped at Yanbacoochie Falls.
It is believed she was retrieving her camera tripod, which fell over an edge, when she slid 10 meters down a slope and fell a further ten meters into the waterhole.
Ms Vemuru died at the scene, despite the desperate efforts of three off-duty doctors who were nearby.
Ujvala Vemuru (pictured), aged 20, was walking with friends in Lamington National Park in the Gold Coast Hinterland on Saturday afternoon when the group stopped at Yanbacoochie Falls.
Ms Vemuru graduated with a degree in medicine from Bond University last year.
She was named one of ‘WA’s brightest young minds’ for her exam results in her final year at Willetton Senior High School in 2018.
It took rescue crews more than six hours to retrieve her body.
“Her friends tried to call her but got no answer,” a Queensland Police spokesperson said.
A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokesperson said it took some time for multiple emergency services to locate the woman and conduct a risk assessment.
Rescuers then spent six and a half hours retrieving the body using vertical rescue equipment.
The police will prepare a report for the coroner.
Ms Vemuru (pictured) graduated with a degree in medicine from Bond University last year and was named one of ‘WA’s brightest young minds’ in 2018
Ujvala Vemuru, in his twenties, tragically fell to his death at Yanbacoochie Falls (pictured)
It took paramedics and firefighters six and a half hours to retrieve the woman’s body
The tragic accident has prompted the Ministry of Environment, Science and Innovation to warn bushwalkers to always stay on marked trails when visiting the national park.
Yanbacoochie Falls is one of many picturesque waterfalls in Lamington National Park.
The scenic spot is a popular stop for hikers and bushwalkers on the 13.4km West Canungra Creek Circuit.
