Victorian girl dies in Tasmania cliff fall

A Victorian family has been left grieving after a young girl fell 10m to her death while on holiday in Tasmania’s south east.

A Victorian girl has died after falling from a cliff in Buckland. Picture: Richard Jupe

LATEST: AN ELEVEN-year-old Victorian girl who fell from a 10m cliff to her death was with a large group of rock climbers at a popular climbing site in Buckland at the time, police have said.

The Westpac rescue helicopter and emergency services from Sorell and Orford attended the Sand River Conservation Area on Friday after they were alerted to the incident about 2.20pm.

Tasmania Police Clarence Division Acting Inspector Michael Foster said members of the climbing group and rescue team performed CPR, but were unable to save the girl, who was holidaying with her siblings in Tasmania.

She died at the scene.

Acting Inspector Foster said rescue vehicles could not enter the remote area, but emergency service personnel attended on foot and via helicopter winch. The Acting Inspector believed the parents were still in Victoria but would travel to Tasmania in coming days.

He offered his condolences. “It’s horrific any time of the year, but around Christmas holidays it’s even worse,” he said.

Acting Inspector Foster could not confirm circumstances causing the incident or clarify how many members of the group were with the girl in the area when she fell.

“I believe the group were climbing, but at that stage I’m not sure what happened,” he said.

“Whether she was just walking and lost her footing – that’s still a matter for the report.”

Acting Inspector Michael Foster Tasmania Police speaks in relation to the death of an 11 year old from Victoria at Buckland. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

The tall cliff at Sand River is home to climbing crags known as “Eldorado” and “The Colosseum” popular among people in their mid-teens and early 20s.

“There’s substantial cliff faces. I’ve not personally been to the area but from what I’ve seen it’s accessed a lot by rock climbers and it’s very popular at this time,” Acting Inspector Foster said.

The matter is now being prepared for a coroner’s report. Anyone with information or anyone who saw the climbers is encouraged to contact Tasmania Police on 131 444.