Pre-inquest conference scheduled for Cape Tribulation zip line death
An inquest will be held to investigate how a South Australian man died in a zip line incident at a Far North Queensland tourist attraction in 2019.
An inquest will be held to investigate how a man died in a zip line incident in Far North Queensland in 2019.
South Australian man Dean Sanderson was tragically killed and his wife suffered serious injuries after the couple allegedly fell from a zip line at Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours at Cape Tribulation six years ago.
The couple from the outer Adelaide suburb of Woodcroft was holidaying in the Far North at the time of the incident.
A pre-inquest conference has been scheduled for December 11, 2025 in Brisbane.
It is understood the inquest will examine whether faulty maintenance could have caused the wire rope to snap, causing the couple to plunge more than 10 metres to the ground, according to pre-inquest information published by the Coroners Court of Queensland.
The scheduled inquest is expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding Mr Sanderson’s death, including cause of the zip line’s failure, implemented maintenance regimes at the time of the incident, and any recommendations to prevent further deaths from occurring in similar circumstances.
The appropriate skills, knowledge and qualifications by those undertaking the design, installation and maintenance of the zip line will be included in the scope of the investigation alongside inquiry into regulation of zip line by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland
and oversight of the design registration process for the zip line prior to its failure.
The appropriateness of the design, installation, inspection and maintenance regimes implemented by Keydane in relation to the zip line prior to its failure will also be looked at.
Following the death, Keydane was prosecuted for reckless conduct.
In 2023 Mrs Sanderson and her son Bailey sued Keydane, seeking damages of more than $1.8m for her husband’s death and $624,000 for her own injuries.
Tourism giant Experience Co acquired the Jungle Surfing canopy tour business in 2022 and reopened as Treetop Adventure Cape Tribulation after a complete redevelopment of the site.
All previous infrastructure, including equipment, cables and platforms, was removed and replaced with a fully new, purpose-built adventure experience.
The attraction is now operated by Experience Co’s Treetops Adventure brand as Treetops Adventure Cape Tribulation and represents a revitalised, high-quality offering that is entirely independent of any prior business.
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Originally published as Pre-inquest conference scheduled for Cape Tribulation zip line death
