Student 'fought with friend' before falling from plane into area full of carnivorous cats
A teen who died after falling from a plane had fought with her friends before plummeting 1000 metres, according to authorities.
Alana Cutland, 19, died on July 25 after falling from a light plane travelled over Madagascar off the east coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean.
Local media reports suggest Ms Cutland, from England, fell from a light aircraft after carrying out research in the remote area of Anjajavy last Thursday.
Authorities on the island say that they now believe Ms Cutland fought with her friend Ruth Johnson before jumping from the plane.
Local police chief Sinola Nomenjahary said the plane, a Cessna C168, took from aircraft Anjajavy with three people aboard, including the two women and the pilot.
“After 10 minutes of flight, Alana undid her seatbelt and unlocked the right door of the plane and tried to get out,” he said.
“Ms Johnson fought for five minutes trying to hold her, but when she was exhausted and out of breath she let go.
“Alana then intentionally fell from an aircraft at 1130 meters above sea level.
“She dropped into a zone which is full of carnivorous Fossa felines.”
‘Made the most of every second’
Family members have paid tribute to the second-year student, saying she "grasped every opportunity that was offered to her with enthusiasm and a sense of adventure".
She was in Madagascar to complement her studies in natural sciences.
In a statement released through the Foreign Office, her family said the 19-year-old "grasped every opportunity that was offered to her with enthusiasm and a sense of adventure”.
“She always seeking to extend her knowledge and experience in the best ways possible,” the Cutland family said.
"She was particularly excited to be embarking on the next stage of her education, on an internship in Madagascar complementing her studies in natural sciences.”
The Cutlands added the teen’s “thirst for discovering more of the world” ensured she “made the most of every second”.
"We are heartbroken at the loss of our wonderful, beautiful daughter, who lit up every room she walked in to, and made people smile just by being there,” the family said.
Dr David Woodman, of Robinson College at Cambridge University where she studied said in a statement the college is “deeply shocked”.
"In her two years here, she made a huge contribution to many different aspects of life in the college,” Dr Woodman said.
"She will be sorely missed by us all. The college extends its sincerest condolences to Alana's family at this extremely difficult time.”
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