A woman has survived sliding down a cliff into a ravine after slipping on some frozen snow by clinging to tufts of grass, but her partner was not so lucky and he died after falling 300 metres in the fatal accident.

The incident took place in the Sibillini Mountains, which are located near the town of Arquata del Tronto, which is located in the province of Ascoli Piceno, in central Italy, on Sunday 2nd January.

Jonathan Strappa, 34, fell 300 metres (984 feet) to his death in the tragic accident, and his partner, who has not been named but who is reportedly 35, managed to survive by desperately clinging on to tufts of grass after slipping 30 metres (98 feet) on the frozen snow into the ravine.

The man’s lifeless body was recovered about seven hours later, at around 8,30pm, by mountain rescue and speleological teams, as well as local firefighters.

A helicopter was reportedly used in an attempt to recover the body, but strong winds prevented it from completing its mission, and the body had to be retrieved by the rescuers themselves, which is why it was only recovered that evening.

The couple, who were reportedly engaged to be married, had gone on a hike to welcome in the New Year, unaware that the route they chose was forbidden in winter due to the dangerous conditions caused by snow and ice in the area.

Neither of the hikers had adequate crampons on their shoes, according to local media reports, and while heading to a refuge on the mountain, they lost their balance and slipped on some frozen snow on the path, sliding down into the ravine below them.

The 35-year-old woman managed to cling onto some grass and rocks in a desperate attempt to avoid falling into the ravine but the man was not so lucky, and he was killed on the spot after falling into the ravine.

Some passing mountaineers, who have not been named, reportedly heard the woman’s screams as she clung on for dear life and came to her aid. Injured and in shock, she was taken to hospital with a suspected broken shoulder as well as bruises, but her life is not thought to be in any danger.