Alana Cutland: Madagascar police say student opened door of aircraft herself

British student died following her fall from airplane shortly after takeoff

A British student who died after falling from an airplane flying over Madagascar opened the door of the aircraft herself, according to local police.

Alana Cutland, who was described as a "bright, independent young woman", was on a research trip on the island. Officers there told the BBC and the Sun newspaper she fell shortly after the Cessna C168 on which she was travelling took off.