Alps fall death: Ripon schoolteacher named as victim

Mrs Atkinson's husband was evacuated by air from the Dolomites following his wife's fatal fall

A British woman who fell to her death while on a hiking trip in Italy with her husband has been named locally as Louise Atkinson.

The 56-year-old teacher from Ripon in North Yorkshire fell 100ft (30m) while walking in the Dolomites.

A mountain rescue team was sent to the area on Sunday, but Mrs Atkinson was immediately pronounced dead.

Tributes on Facebook described her as a "wonderful" and "inspirational" teacher who would be "sadly missed".

It is understood Mrs Atkinson worked as a teacher at Roecliffe Church of England School, near Boroughbridge, and at St Wilfrid's Catholic School in Ripon.

'Fond memories'

Dozens of comments have been added to a Facebook post from parents and former pupils.

One read: "She taught both our sons at Roecliffe. She was an amazing teacher and a lovely kind lady."

Another said: "I'm so saddened by this news.

"Mrs Atkinson was our science and RE teacher at Roecliffe for many years. I have such fond memories of her classes and the lessons she taught."

The couple were hiking on the via ferrata Santner trail, which climbs to a height of over 6,500ft (2,000m), leading through small gullies and narrow passes.

Mrs Atkinson's fall happened on a part of the path where there was no rope for protection, rescue services said.

The Dolomites, located in the Alps in northern Italy, are a popular summer hiking destination.

The UK Foreign Office has been contacted for comment.