Queensland: Couple falls from jungle zipline, leaves man dead

An Australian man died while his wife suffered serious injuries when the couple fell from a height of a five-storey building in a jungle zipline attraction in Daintree rainforest of northeastern Australia. Dean Sanderson, 50, and Shannon Sanderson, 48, were ziplining at Jungle Surfing Canopy in Cape Tribulation around 2.00 pm local time when they became the victim of a tragic accident. Dean was pronounced dead at the scene and his wife, Shannon, suffered injuries to her shoulder and arms including pelvic areas.

Wife in stable condition

Shannon was flown out by rescue helicopter to Cairns hospital where she remains in a serious but stable condition. The zipline snapped when the couple was travelling through it but the reason behind the accident is not known yet. The director of Jungle Surfing, Phoebe Kitto, offered her ‘deepest sympathy’ to the couple’s family and friends. 

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Investigation to start

Kitto assured of full cooperation in the investigation of the accident which will be carried out by Workplace Health and Safety. Kitto said they are offering to counsel their staff and patrons. Detectives and Workplace Health and Safety departments will prepare reports on the cause of the accident and until then the local police will guard the site. 

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Witnesses of the incident

Witnesses were in shock after the incident occurred. An American couple had finished ziplining just before the accident and watched the whole tragedy. Speaking to an Australian news channel, Samantha Salyer and Joseph Maghe said there was a loud noise when one of the lines snapped. The couple saw them fall and the entire tree, they were on, was shaken. The victim couple hung there for a moment and came down at the same time.

The grieving family of the couple released a statement remembering Dean. The statement read that Shannon is recovering from the injuries and is in hospital. It referred to Dean as a loving ‘husband, father, son, brother and friend to all’.

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(With Inputs from Agencies)