Rock climber dies after 20m fall from cliff in Tasmania
A rock climber has died after falling 20 meters while climbing cliffs in a popular area in southern Tasmania.
Emergency services rushed to the Sand River at Buckland, about 70 kilometers north of Hobart, after receiving reports that a man had fallen about 20 meters from the cliff.
Police believe the 31-year-old French national, living in Victoria, fell off a cliff while rock climbing.
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter flew the man in a critical condition to the Royal Hobart Hospital, but he died a short time later from his injuries.
Tasmania Police will now prepare a report for the coroner.
The crags at the Sand River are a popular rock climbing spot, with climbing website ‘The Crag’ describing it as “a spectacular sandstone crag with much to offer any climber”.
Local climbing website Thesarvo notes that the area’s sandstone cliffs can be “deceptive” for climbers, writing that they “may appear solid (especially when wet) when in fact they are surprisingly fragile.”
“PLEASE understand that this is a new cliff and there is loose rock everywhere! There is the potential for loose rock on most, if not all, of the climbs, so be careful,” the safety warning reads.
“Wear a helmet and do not sit or stand unnecessarily under the cliff while others are climbing. This is NOT a gym.”
This is the second death in the area in January 2021, when an 11-year-old girl fell to her death about 10 minutes later.
Tasmania Police say she fell off a cliff while rock climbing while on holiday with her sisters.
