Aspiring Doctor plunged to her Death after taking Selfie

An aspiring doctor fell 20 metres to her death while taking photos at the top of a waterfall.

Ujvala Vemuru was a medicine graduate aged in her 20s.

She was hiking with friends in Lamington National Park in the Gold Coast Hinterland, Australia on March 2, 2024.

The group then stopped at Yanbacoochie Falls to take photos.

It is reported that Ujvala had been retrieving her camera tripod, which dropped over a ledge when she slipped 10 metres down a slope.

Ujvala plunged a further 10 metres into the waterhole.

Despite the best efforts of three off-duty doctors who were in the area, Ujvala died at the scene.

Ujvala graduated with a degree in medicine from Bond University in 2023.

The aspiring doctor was named one of “WA’s brightest young minds” following her exam results in her final year at Willetton Senior High School in 2018.

Reportedly, it took rescue crews over six hours to retrieve her body.

A Queensland Police spokesperson said:

“Her friends tried calling out to her but couldn’t get a response.”

According to a Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokesperson, it took some time for multiple emergency crews to locate the woman and do a risk assessment.

Emergency responders then spent six-and-a-half hours retrieving the body using vertical rescue equipment.

The spokesperson said: “It took a while for crews to locate the woman, set up and do a risk assessment.

“Crews were only at the bottom of the creek bed at 5:15 pm — at 6:30 pm they were still getting the person out.”

Police will prepare a report for the coroner.

The tragic accident has prompted the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation to warn hikers to always stay on marked tracks when visiting the national park.

A spokesman has pointed to advice on the department website advising people to “stay on marked tracks”.

The website says: “Follow track markers and directional signs carefully.

“We want to avoid the search and rescue missions that result from inexperienced or unprepared walkers taking tracks and summit routes beyond their abilities.”

Yanbacoochie Falls is one of many waterfalls in Lamington National Park.

The scenic spot is a popular stop for hikers and bushwalkers on the 13.4km West Canungra Creek Circuit.

The Queensland Government advises anyone exploring waterfalls and swimming holes to make sure they research the area first and check that the route suits their fitness levels, plus those of their companions.