Rosy Loomba cliff death: Coroner urges sign upgrades after Boroka Lookout selfie death

A coroner has recommended Parks Victoria make changes to a popular Instagram selfie spot in the Grampians after a mum plunged to her death in front of her horrified children.

Extra signage and warning signs should be put up at the popular Instagram selfie spot in the Grampians where a mum plunged to her death while taking a photo two years ago, a coroner has found.

Deputy State Coroner Jacqui Hawkins also said the death of Craigieburn woman Rosy Loomba, who scaled a fence to have her photo taken in front of the idyllic landscape before slipping, should also serve as a “reminder” of the dangers of ignoring safety measures.

The 38-year-old mother and her young family had spent the day in the Grampians with friends, enjoying a picnic and stopping at several lookouts before arriving at the popular Boroka Lookout, near Halls Gap, about 2.10pm.

The lookout was busy upon their arrival, with a queue of people waiting to have their photos taken in front of the breathtaking view.

When they got to the front, Mrs Loomba and her husband clambered over the safety barrier before photos were taken of the couple standing on the rock ledge.

Rosy Loomba with her husband, Basant Loomba.

Known as “selfie rock”, it protrudes from a cliff and has become a popular photo point for tourists.

But as Mrs Loomba pivoted to walk back towards the barrier, where her friends and two children – Ansh and Akks – were waiting, she lost her balance, slipped and fell.

With the upper half of her body hanging over the cliff edge, her husband desperately tried to pull her to safety by yanking on her legs and clothing.

But much to the horror of her husband, children and other witnesses, he was unable to and Mrs Loomba fell over the edge.

Emergency crews were able to abseil down the cliff face and found Mrs Loomba’s body about 30m down, the documents state.

In a complicated and protracted operation, they were able to retrieve her body and confirm she was deceased about 9pm.

An investigation by Victoria Police determined the death was not suspicious but rather, that it was “a tragic accident”.

A forensic pathologist later determined her cause of death was multiple injuries, predominantly to her head, as the result of falling from a height.

Coroner Hawkins referred to the finding of Coroner Timothy McDonald in 1999 regarding a separate tourist death at the same lookout in April of that year.

Boroko Lookout over Halls Gap, where Rosy Loomba tragically plunged to her death.

He recommended Parks Victoria carry out a review to allow for “safe viewing” at the lookout and in response to his recommendation additional infrastructure and signage was installed.

But Coroner Hawkins concluded that more could be done “to prevent such deaths occurring in the future”.

“I note that adventurers and park attendees may continue to climb fences to access lookouts in order to get a photo or for their own curiosity,” Coroner Hawkins said.

The risks some visitors take at the scenic lookout.

The location is popular among social media users.

“Mrs Loomba’s death is a reminder of the dangers associated with ignoring signage and fencing, which is put in place to keep people safe.”

She recommended Parks Victoria install additional signage with stronger warnings, highlighting the dangers.

“The sign should expressly state that people have been seriously injured and died at this location,” she added.

Boroka Lookout at Halls Gap. Picture: Eliza Sum

A spokesman for Parks Victoria said the existing signage at the lookout was being reviewed in line with the coroner’s recommendations.

Describing it as a “tragic accident”, they also reminded visitors to follow signage and stay on tracks as “fences and barriers were there to keep people and the environment safe”.

Born in India, Mrs Loomba migrated to Australia in 2010 and worked as a disability support worker.

She was described by her husband as a “loving mother and the perfect life partner” for him, court documents state.