‘Tragic loss’: Family of zipline fall victim speaks out
A father-of-three who died after a fall at a Daintree zipline park is being remembered by devastated family and friends as a “loving husband, father, son, brother and friend to all”.
THE grieving family of a South Australian man who died after a fall at a Far North zipline attraction has spoken out, remembering him as a “loving husband, father, son, brother and friend to all”.
Dean Sanderson, 50, was pronounced dead at the scene of Jungle Surfing Canopy in Cape Tribulation.
His wife Shannon, 48, suffered serious injuries and remains in Cairns Hospital after being flown out of the remote rainforest by the Rescue 510 helicopter.
Her condition has now improved to stable.
The family released a statement about the incident.
“Our family is mourning the tragic loss of our husband, father and great friend Dean Sanderson after an accident at Cape Tribulation in Queensland yesterday,” it read.
“His wife Shannon is currently in hospital recovering after also sustaining injuries in the accident.
“We would like to thank the Queensland Police, Queensland Paramedics and the tremendous staff at the Cairns Hospital for their support.
“We remember Dean as a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend to all.”
The couple is understood to have been holidaying in the region and is from the outer Adelaide suburb of Woodcroft.
Pictures on social media show them staying and dining in Port Douglas in the days before.
Investigations into the cause of the fall are continuing with police and Workplace Health and Safety officers at the site on Camelot Close.
A WHS spokesman confirmed two investigators had arrived on the scene.
He said they would prepare a report for the Coroner.
Speaking late yesterday Far North police Insp Rhys Newton said he could not say whether the fall had occurred when the couple was in the process of ziplining or stationary.
‘WE SAW THEM FALL’: WITNESSES TELL OF HORROR
Ferntree Rainforest Lodge at Cape Tribulation managing director Mark Cromwell, whose property neighbours the tourist attraction said he believed a cable had snapped.
“It sounds like there was an equipment failure,” he said.
“I think the whole cable came down, with two people on it.”
In 2004, an English tourist suffered severe head injuries after plunging 30m at the same attraction and tour guide Steve Jay Clark was later jailed for two years and eight months.
Jungle Adventures was founded in 1995 by Stephen Walsh, who died in a car crash in May 2010.
EARLIER: Police are returning to Cape Tribulation this morning to continue an investigation after a man fell 15m to his death at a ziplining attraction.
The 50-year-old South Australian man was pronounced dead at the scene late yesterday after he and his 48-year-old partner plunged to the rainforest floor at the Jungle Surfing Canopy in the Daintree.
She was flown to Cairns Hospital by the Rescue 510 helicopter and remains in a serious but stable condition.
Workplace Health and Safety investigators are also expected to arrive at the Cape Tribulation Rd property this morning.
It is understood the Special Emergency Response Team is heading to the site to assist investigators as it is in dense terrain.
The Forensic Crash Unit and detectives from Mossman are also part of the investigation.
The tragedy has rocked the community and Douglas Shire mayor Julia Leu, who knows many staff working at the attraction, said it was devastating.
“Our deepest sympathy goes to the family and friends of those affected,” she said.
“Our hearts are with the injured woman and we are wishing her a speedy recovery.
“This is a very popular and multi award-winning tourist attraction for our area.
“It’s always so sad and tragic when something like this happens to people who are enjoying our beautiful area.”
She said the Cape Tribulation community was “very close-knit” and tourism was key to the area.
“At this stage we are unsure of the cause and we will await an investigation by authorities,” she said.
“Tourism is a key industry of our economy and certainly in the Daintree rainforest as well.
“My heart goes out to all the community of Cape Tribulation who I know will be devastated by this tragedy.”
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
Originally published as ‘Tragic loss’: Family of zipline fall victim speaks out