Victorian man, 79, dies after falling 20m at Springbrook National Park waterfall in Gold Coast hinterland

Questions have been raised about how an elderly man lost his footing and fell more than 20m to his death while walking with his daughters at a Gold Coast Hinterland waterfall.

Police aren’t saying how it’s thought an elderly man lost his footing and fell more than 20 metres to his death while walking with his daughters at a Gold Coast Hinterland waterfall.

Emergency services rushed to near the John Stacey Bridge on the Purling Brook Circuit in Springbrook National Park just after midday on Thursday, following reports the 79-year-old man – believed to be a Victorian tourist – had plunged down a cliff face.

Purling Brook Falls. Picture: @annemarie.dupreezphotography

“Crews located the man at the bottom of the cliff and (he) was declared deceased a short time later,” Queensland Police Service stated.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services tasked the Rescue 500 helicopter and a couple of rescue crews, and Queensland Ambulance Service paramedics attempted to treat the man.

One of the elderly man’s daughters climbed a cliff face to get to her dad to render aid.

Considering a history of fatal and injurious falls in the national park, and other hinterland locations, the Bulletin asked how it was thought the elderly man fell from the track.

Spingbrook in the Gold Coast Hinterland. Picture: Nigel Hallett

The particular path has been described as narrow, but it’s understood to be fairly safe under most circumstances.

Police were asked about whether the man crossed any barricades or fences, and whether he may have been taking photos on a smartphone.

A statement simply read: “Officers will prepare a report for the coroner, and there are no further details at this time.”

The fall has been described by police as a “non-suspicious sudden death”.

Purling Brook Falls. Picture: @photography_n_motion

The Department of Environment and Science, which oversees national parks, said: “The death of a man near the John Stacey Bridge on the Purling Brook Circuit is a tragedy, and the Department of Environment and Science extends our sympathies to his family and friends.”

“The circuit is popular with locals and tourists alike, and visitors are reminded to follow the track and take the necessary precautions as the environment presents natural hazards,” a statement read.

“For public safety, warning signs are located at multiple locations on the track and near the falls, alerting visitors to potential hazards, including slippery rocks. Visitors are asked to obey all warning signs, which are there to help keep people safe.

“This matter is being investigated by the Queensland Police Service, and the department is unable to comment further.”

Emergency services organisations have provided varying locations of the fall on Thursday, including Purling Brook, Twin Falls and Tanninaba Falls, but it’s believed the fall did occur at Purling Brook.

Dad plunges 25m to his death in front of daughters

September 15: A man aged in his 70s slipped and fell more than 20 metres to his death from a waterfall in the Gold Coast Hinterland.

Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) paramedics, including critical care, rushed to the scene on the Purling Brook Falls track near Springbrook on Thursday afternoon.

Twin Falls in the Gold Coast Hinterland. Picture: Tourism and Events Queensland

#Springbrook - Crews are responding to reports that a person has fallen a distance at Twin Falls Cct at midday.

— Queensland Ambulance (@QldAmbulance) September 15, 2022

The 79-year-old man, understood to be a tourist from Victoria, had been walking with his two daughters when he lost his footing on a narrow section of path and fell nearly 25m to his death.

A 79-year-old man, understood to be a tourist from Victoria, had been walking with his two daughters.

It is understood one of the man’s daughters attempted to reach her father and offer medical treatment but he was unable to be saved.

Emergency services later had to winch her out.

Paramedics assessed the man at the scene but did not transport him to hospital, a spokesman confirmed.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services tasked two crews to the waterfall, and the Rescue 500 helicopter.

The narrow path which runs to the waterfall cuts through steep terrain around the Hinterland landmark, which is popular with tourists and bushwalkers.

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Originally published as Victorian man, 79, dies after falling 20m at Springbrook National Park waterfall in Gold Coast hinterland