They are some of the most beautiful places in NSW but they can also be deadly
THRILLSEEKERS are putting the lives of themselves and others at risk by performing stunts at some of New South Wales’ most picturesque — but potentially deadly — landmarks.
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THRILLSEEKERS are putting the lives of themselves and others at risk by performing stunts at some of New South Wales’ most picturesque — but potentially deadly — landmarks.
Cliff jumping, rope swinging and plunging into blow holes is just a few of the ways adrenaline junkies are pushing the limits around the state.
But Surf Life Saving NSW Lifesaving Manager Andy Kent has warned that without the proper knowledge of an area, these activities can be extremely dangerous.
“Cliff jumping activities are considerably dangerous and while they attract thrillseekers looking for that adrenaline rush, we urge people to be aware of their environment and the dangers which are involved in this type of behaviour,” Mr Kent told The Daily Telegraph.
“Since July we have had two incidents at blow holes and about 20 other incidents usually involving people getting washed into the water, falling over and sustaining injuries or getting stranded on rock platforms when the tide changes.”
Just last week more than 100 people were injured, three seriously, when a freak wave smashed into the Figure 8 pools in the Royal National Park south of Sydney.
But it isn’t limited to the coast, with the sheer cliffs of the Blue Mountains the scene of many rescues over the past few years.
Just last year circus performer Toby Benham also known as Lucky Chance and a known adrenaline junkie, fell to his death at Hanging Rock in Blackheath when he crashed into jagged rocks while performing a stunt known as the ‘death swing’.
Benham, 32, had been planning to return to France where he was to marry the nurse who had nursed him back to health after a near-fatal stunt a few years back.
Wedding Cake Rock
The fascination with this rock formation in the Royal National Park near Bundeena turned deadly in June 2014 when French University of Wollongong student Fabien Ardoin, 23, died after falling while posing for a photo hanging off the edge of the cliff.
A geotechnical report has shown the unique limestone formation could crumble at any stage and the NPWS has cordoned off the area with fencing and erected warning signs of the danger.
But it has done nothing to deter the thrillseekers desperate for a selfie or photo — just days after two men were rescued from the rock in November people were back at it again.
Kiama Blowhole
While it is one of the most popular natural attractions on the South Coast, the Kiama Blowhole has a dark and deadly history.
In 1992 seven people were killed when a freak wave sucked two Afghan families into the blowhole, a tragedy compounded five years later when two more members of one of the families died at the picturesque site.
The jagged rocks that add to the stark beauty of the area also make it the danger it is.
Despite the local council erecting fences and signs to the danger, tourists can still regularly be seen standing perilously close to the edge as the water explodes through the opening.
North Head
This stunning cliff face near Manly is a favourite of BASE jumpers and rope swingers.
Terrifying photos and video regularly surface of daredevils jumping from the headland even after British thrillseeker Gareth Jones fell to his death in 2014.
After footage was posted online last year of people swinging from the site, police visited the rock and found there were no anchor points for the rope, it had simply been tied around a rock.
This sparked a warning from a senior cop that if people kept risking their lives like that it will eventually lead to tragedy.
“When these activities go wrong, and inevitably they will, it is members of the emergency services who have to attend and investigate the full circumstances,” Superintendent Dave Darcy said.
Figure 8 Pools
These pools look harmless enough.
The incredible rock formations in the National Park south of Sydney have become a favourite for Instagramers and people set out on a two-hour return hike to get the perfect picture.
But as was proved last weekend, the rock pools can turn dangerous quickly.
A huge freak wave injured more than 100 people, including three seriously, and sparked a major rescue operation.
National Parks warned they are continually trying to limit the number of people that visit the
area at any one time and have warned that it should only ever be accessed during low tide.
Warriewood Blowhole
The 10m cliff-jump is another favourite for thrillseekers.
Only accessed through the reserve on Turimetta headland, Warriewood Blowhole is even more dangerous as it is hidden from lifesavers patrolling nearby Warriewood Beach.
In 2014 teenager Blake Hayes fell from the cliffs on his way to the blowhole.
He suffered serious internal injuries and numerous broken bones.
There have been a number of rescues of cliff jumpers since that incident, including one already this year.
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