Footage shows tourists still risking their lives at Diamond Bay Reserve cliffs
The tragic death of a woman who fell from a popular cliff-face has not deterred some tourists, who are continuing to risk their lives for the perfect snap at a picturesque spot in the eastern suburbs. WATCH THE VIDEO.
Wentworth Courier
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This is the shocking moment two women risked their lives for a selfie.
The video, shot on Thursday afternoon, shows the pair climbing a fence to score the perfect picture on a clifftop at Diamond Bay Reserve.
It is just metres from where a woman died doing the same thing in August.
Despite the tragedy, new signage and a plethora of reinforced barricades, selfie-seekers are still risking their lives for a snap.
In the footage, taken on Thursday afternoon, the pair can been seen walking perilously close to the cliff edge, climbing a popular archway as one poses next to a sign erected in the wake of the horror death of a 27-year-old Sydney woman two months ago.
More people are seen in the video further along the walking track, jumping new fencing constructed by Waverley Council in a bid to halt the deadly trend.
The incident prompted council to prioritise a series of new measures including blockades, fencing, several signs warning of the danger and the roll out of messaging on Weibo and WeChat.
“In the lead-up to the school holidays, Waverley Council urges all visitors to Diamond Bay to keep away from the cliff edge and avoid taking risks with their lives,” a council spokeswoman said.
“No photo is worth dying for or endangering the lives of others.
“The Council has seen an improvement in visitor behaviour at the reserve but is concerned that people are still trying to access the cliff edge for photos despite the recent tragedy and the warnings and barriers in place.”
One witness at the time of the fall told the Wentworth Courier the woman was having her picture taken before slipping and falling about 40 metres to the rocks below.
Within an hour of the body being retrieved more people were jumping the fence for a picture.
Her death has been referred to the coroner by police.
The new footage, taken by a local resident in the exclusive suburb of Vaucluse, is eerily similar to the scene prior to the young woman’s death two months ago.
The Wentworth Courier first reported in April that swarms of tourists had been flocking to the eastern suburbs reserve, jumping fences and tiptoeing along the cliff edge, reportedly after an Asian celebrity posted a picture on social media from the glorious spot.
“I believe it’s not just the individual thrillseekers (who need to be stopped) it’s also the professional photographers and tour operators,” local resident Allan Aaron said.
“They have erected some signs and put in some kind of barriers but they are not perfect and they won’t prevent everyone accessing the cliff site.”
Waverley Council has asked that residents who witness similar behaviour report it to them or the police.
“The council has increased measures to further deter access to the cliff edge and better manage use of the area. This includes Ranger Patrols on weekends (eight hours per day) and during the week, working with the police, increased fencing and increased balustrades and compliance and danger signage,” the council spokeswoman said.
“Compliance staff are also in communication with commercial photographers to deter commercial photography on the cliff edge.
“While Council has taken additional measures in relation to community concerns, Council cannot prevent determined people from accessing cliff-top locations along the coast. Cliff tops are obvious risk locations and council urges people to stay away from them.”
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