A 'talented' Cambridge University student has died after she fell out of a plane while on a research study trip to Madagascar.
Alana Cutland fell from the Cessna-style light aircraft about ten minutes after take off, according to reports.
The 19-year-old from Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, was a second year Natural Science student at Cambridge and was undertaking an internship in her subject when she died.
The accident happened earlier this month as her aeroplane flew above the Madagascar savannah.
Reports say her body fell in a rural isolated area and has not yet been recovered by authorities who have launched a major operation to locate her whereabouts.
Mystery surrounds how Alana came to fall out of the plane and a local report says investigators have conducted a reconstruction of the incident.
Local police said that Alana was travelling back from her research base in the remote area of Anjajavy, a isolated northern region of the Indian Ocean nation.
She was with a pilot and one other passenger when the tragedy struck.
Investigators have not yet established how she fell out of the plane.
Her devastated family said in a statement: “Our daughter Alana was a bright, independent young woman, who was loved and admired by all those that knew her.
“She was always so kind and supportive to her family and friends, which resulted in her having a very special connection with a wide network of people from all walks of her life, who we know will miss her dearly.
“Alana grasped every opportunity that was offered to her with enthusiasm and a sense of adventure, always seeking to extend her knowledge and experience in the best ways possible.
“She was particularly excited to be embarking on the next stage of her education, on an internship in Madagascar complimenting her studies in Natural Sciences.
“Alana was also a talented dancer and embraced the more creative side of her talents with joy and commitment.
“Her thirst for discovering more of the world always ensured she made the most of every second of her action-packed young life.
“We are heartbroken at the loss of our wonderful, beautiful daughter, who lit up every room she walked in to, and made people smile just by being there.”
A statement issued by Dr David Woodman, of Robinson College, Cambridge University, said: "Robinson College is deeply shocked by the news of Alana's death.
"In her two years here, she made a huge contribution to many different aspects of life in the college. She will be sorely missed by us all.
"The college extends its sincerest condolences to Alana's family at this extremely difficult time."
Ms Cutland was involved in the yoga and mindfulness society at the college, according to its website.
The internship is understood to have been undertaken privately and was not a Cambridge University study trip.
