Man dies in cliff fall at Cape Solander in Kurnell

A MAN taking pictures on a clifftop in Sydney’s south fell to his death after slipping from a rock ledge at Cape Solander in Kurnell in front of his horrified friends today.

A MAN taking pictures on a clifftop in Sydney’s south fell to his death today after slipping from a rock ledge in front of his horrified friends.

Paramedics were called to Cape Solander, a whale-watching spot at Kurnell, about 1.20pm after the alarm was raised about a man who had fallen into the water.

Emergency crews began a recovery operation with the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter, winching the man from the water just below the viewing platform.

The cliff at Cape Solander in Kurnell where a man fell to his death today. Picture: Damian Shaw

Police and a paramedic talk to two men who were friends with the man who died. Picture: Damian Shaw

Paramedics performed CPR inside the helicopter and, shortly after, in a nearby carpark but the man, aged in his 30s, could not be revived.

Nicola Powell, of Eastlakes, was watching the whales with her children when a man came running and shouting “my mate’s fallen over the edge”.

“The friend was distraught because he’d been running for ages trying to get down to where his friend had fallen,” Mrs Powell told The Sunday Telegraph.

“He ran back up when emergency services arrived and we could see them resuscitating his friend. When the paramedic came over to deliver the bad news he fell to his knees. He was in complete shock.”

Whale watchers at the cliff at Cape Solander in Kurnell where a man fell to his death. Picture: Damian Shaw

Mrs Powell added that, according to police, the deceased man had been taking pictures at the time of the fall.

Stephen Leahy, CEO of Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter, said the man was found facedown in the water directly below the viewing platform and was suffering from “severe injuries”.

“We had a rescue officer go down, grab the man and winch him on board. CPR was commenced … despite our best efforts, we were unable to revive the man,” Mr Leahy said.

Police said the incident was being treated as a case of misadventure and a spokesman confirmed the man slipped while taking photographs at the site with friends.

“Initial inquiries suggest there are no suspicious circumstances,” police said.

A report will be prepared for the coroner following the man’s death. Picture: Damian Shaw

Helicopters were used in the search for the man. Picture: Seven News

Cape Solander is a popular whale watching area during migration season, according to the National Parks and Wildlife service, with whales known to swim as close as 200m from the coast at the location.

At least one whale could be seen swimming quite close to shore at Cape Solander a short time after the accident.

A report is being prepared for the coroner.