British woman falls to her death during mountain bike ride in Italy

A British woman who was on a trip in Italy with her husband died after being flung from her bike while descending a difficult downhill trail.

The 27-year-old lady, who has not yet been identified, was cycling on a path through some forests on the Brescia side of Lake Garda when she fell downhill and sustained fatal injuries.

The paramedics her husband called to the site couldn’t save her even though she was wearing a helmet.

A source told the Italian newspaper Il Giorno: “It’s a very steep trail and although the woman was wearing a helmet she was thrown quite violently and there was nothing that could be done.

“It’s not a tarmacked road, it’s a gravel track so it can be a bit tricky getting down there.”

In order to help the woman’s 27-year-old husband, who was in shock after seeing her fall, an emergency helicopter was dispatched to the area.

The chopper was called back to the scene once it was determined that the woman had passed away, having already transported him to a local hospital.

The incident happened at Navazzo di Gargnano, a well-known tourist destination near Lake Garda in northern Italy.

The pair had just returned from a tour of the Dolomites and were scheduled to fly home today (12 August) from nearby Verona.

A spokesperson from the Italian police told MailOnline: “I can confirm that a 27-year-old British woman has died after an accident while cycling near Lake Garda.

“The circumstances are still being investigated and officers are preparing a report.

“The woman’s partner raised the alarm and he was taken to hospital but was not injured although very shocked.

“We are in the process of alerting the British authorities so next of kin can be informed.”