Irish woman who died in Spanish rock climbing accident named locally

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 from Shankill in Dublin. Picture: LinkedIn

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.

Paying tribute, one local said: "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."

While another wrote: "Such a Beautiul young lady, always happy and smiling, shocking gone way to young. RiP little Eve. Condolences to her Family, Friends and her Family Kings Staff.💔"

Ms McCarthy was killed on Friday evening after plunging around 500ft.

Her body was rescued by emergency services after the alarm was raised just after 7pm on Friday.

A male friend she was with managed to grab 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.

Friday’s incident occurred 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.

Ms McCarthy and her friend are understood to have spent the day rock climbing and are thought to have suffered their accident as they made their descent after taking the wrong route by mistake.