Irish woman (21) who died in Spanish rock climbing accident named locally

Natalia Penza

The Irish woman who died after falling in a popular rock climbing area near Malaga in southern Spain has been named locally as 21-year-old Eve McCarthy.

Ms McCarthy, from Shankill in Co Dublin, was a final year student at University College Dublin, where she studied physiology. She was also a past pupil of Loreto Abbey school in Dalkey.

Ms McCarthy worked part-time at The Kings Inn in Dalkey, and as a mark of respect, the pub closed on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

In a tribute, one local wrote: "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."

A male friend she was with miraculously survived by grabbing onto a bush-covered rock that was jutting out from the rest as he fell alongside his climbing companion.

He was said to have been in a state of shock when he was rescued alive.

The accident occurred on Friday evening near to the village of El Chorro close to the famous Caminito del Rey pathway. The spot the climbers were in is called the Swiss Sector next to a hiking area called the Arabic Staircase.

The mountaineers are understood to have spent the day practicing sport and are thought to have suffered their accident as they made their descent after taking the wrong route by mistake.

The survivor has told police they lost their balance and went over the side of a ravine.