A teenager was strangled to death by her own cardigan as she tried to climb over the gate of her own residence after forgetting the house keys, Italian media report.

The tragedy took place in Loranze, a small village in the province of Turin, last night.

Not wanting to wake up her sister, the 18-year-old attempted to climb over the metal gate leading to her own home after spending the evening out with her friends.

But her cardigan was caught in the railheads and ended up strangling her to death.

Her sister found the body this morning and alerted the police, Italian media report.