Tourists risk death at Boroka Lookout where Rosy Loomba died

Tourists continue to dice with death to get the perfect Instagram photo at a Grampians lookout where a woman plunged to her death.

A tourist posing for a photo where Rosy Loomba slipped and fell. Picture: Jason Edwards

Tourists are ignoring fencing and signage so they can snap a picture at the same Instagram selfie spot in the Grampians where a woman plummeted to her death two years ago.

Despite a coroner warning that Craigieburn woman Rosy Loomba’s death at Boroka Lookout, near Halls Gap, should serve as a reminder of the dangers of ignoring safety measures, people are continuing to go to extremes for the perfect photo.

In just one day, the Herald Sun observed multiple tourists scaling safety barriers across various lookouts at the Grampians, namely Pinnacle Lookout and at Boroka Lookout – known as “selfie rock” – where Ms Loomba lost her life.

It is not clear whether these people were aware of the warnings displayed on signs.

A woman standing on “selfie rock” for a photo, despite a warning sign. Picture: Jason Edwards

In December 2020 she tragically fell to her death in front of her family and 30 other park visitors after clambering over the safety barriers with her husband Basant to pose for a photo before she lost her balance, slipped and fell 30m down the cliff edge.

A person had previously died at the same lookout in 1999.

But this month the Herald Sun witnessed two international tourists posing for photos on the “selfie rock” oblivious to the tragedy that had previously unfolded there.

They told the Herald Sun that it had been “a little difficult” scaling the additional fencing that had been recently erected after the coronial inquest into Ms Loomba’s death.

It recommended the park install additional signage at the lookout that “should expressly state that people have been seriously injured and died at this location”.

Both women spoke little English, but said they had posed on the rock for the purposes of taking a photo and that they hadn’t felt safe while doing so.

Rosy Loomba fell to her death from the Boroka Lookout in Halls Gap in the Grampians. Her husband Basant tried to save her.

Earlier that day, Scottish tourist Martin Heaney was seen balancing precariously close to the edge of a steep cliff face at Pinnacle Lookout while his wife and two children watched on.

“I felt safe while I was doing it because I was taking precautions,” Mr Heaney said.

“But it’s probably something I’ll think back on later tonight and think, ‘I shouldn’t have done that’.

“I wouldn’t let my kids get that close to the edge, especially after all the walking to get up here, they’re just so tired.”

Moments later, a different man was heard coaxing his small child to come stand near the cliff edge, which did not have any safety barriers or fencing, to pose for a photo.

None of the tourists spoken to were aware of the circumstances around Ms Loomba’s death.

Executive Director of Visitor Experience at Parks Victoria, Lisa Patroni, said there had been 12 photo or sightseeing-related injuries at Victorian parks since June 2020 alone.

Signage up at the Balconies Lookout. Picture: Jason Edwards

“Fences and barriers installed at visitor sites across the Parks Victoria estate are there for a reason – to keep visitors safe and to protect our environment,” she said.

“We unfortunately see far too many people ignoring safety signage and barriers and climbing onto fragile terrain in many locations … this often appears to be for the purpose of taking a photo.”

While more park rangers patrol popular tourist spots during peak visitor periods, issuing penalty notices with fines of up to $363, they are unable to keep tabs on entire national parks.

The Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park alone is over 413,000 acres.

Coroner’s findings published in August last year found Ms Loomba died from multiple injuries sustained in her 30m fall after climbing over the lookout’s fence which was “easily scaled”.

“There were a number of people in the area who climbed over the fence and took photos on a rock which protrudes out from the cliff … known as “Selfie Rock “”, the coroner said in their report.

A man climbs the steep cliff face at Pinnacle Lookout. Picture: Jason Edwards

“The lookout is renowned on Instagram with many people scaling the safety barriers to have their photo taken on the rock ledge.”

Terry Smit is the owner and managing director of Go West tours and has worked in the Victorian touring industry for more than 25 years.

“Times have changed,” he said.

“It’s a small percentage, but there are stupid people who break the rules and ignore the directions of regulatory authorities.

“There is no question that not only in the Grampians but everywhere people are striving to get that show-y moment in their photographs.

“I’ve been in the industry long enough to remember when you could dangle your legs off the edge of the balconies, I shudder to think of how many people did that over the years.”

A raft of recommendations were made after Rosy Loomba’s death.

Mr Smit recalled situations where people had been “abusive” towards his tour guides who tried to intervene or advise against reckless behaviour in pursuit of the perfect photo.

“The reality is there is only limited resourcing available for rangers and authorities in the parks to be at hand and stop people doing the wrong thing,” he said.

“Some people call it a nanny state approach … but anyone who works in health care knows you don’t want these people coming in injured.

“While there might be overreach on some occasions, (more fencing and signage) keeps stupid people from injuring themselves.

“I think people will choose to obey signs or intentionally ignore them, I don’t think it has anything to do with their ability to understand the signs.”

Originally published as Tourists risk death at Boroka Lookout where Rosy Loomba died