Post by Taylor on Apr 1, 2006 2:45:02 GMT -5
SOUTH AFRICA
Abseiling instructor in fatal cliff plunge
March 31, 2006
By Sejal Desai
A fall of 40m from the top of a cliff at the Kloof Gorge claimed the life of a Durban abseiling instructor yesterday.
Linden Ferreira, 30, an experienced instructor at Durban abseiling group 180 Degrees Adventure, fell while instructing a trio of medical students from the United Kingdom.
Police Insp Darren Miskin said the group were rock climbing and abseiling at the Kranskloof Nature Reserve when the incident occurred. He said Ferreira was not preparing to abseil when he fell. "He wasn't wearing a helmet or any clips or a harness. One visitor had abseiled down the gorge and Ferreira was about to send the bags down when he lost his footing and dropped to the ground," said Miskin.
Ferreira reportedly grabbed a rope hanging down the side of the gorge during his plunge and helped to break his fall. Several rescue officials went to his aid as he lay in agony at the bottom of the cliff. The K9 Search and Rescue team used ropes and pulleys to hoist Ferreira up, working for two hours before he was brought to the ledge.
Netcare 911 spokesman Chris Botha said Ferreira had sustained critical spinal, head and chest injuries. He was airlifted by Red Cross officials to St Augustine's Hospital where he died soon afterwards.
180 Degrees owner Garth Hattingh expressed sadness at Ferreira's death. He said he would not comment further until the investigation into the incident was complete.
www.themercury.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=283&fArticleId=3183909
Abseiling instructor in fatal cliff plunge
March 31, 2006
By Sejal Desai
A fall of 40m from the top of a cliff at the Kloof Gorge claimed the life of a Durban abseiling instructor yesterday.
Linden Ferreira, 30, an experienced instructor at Durban abseiling group 180 Degrees Adventure, fell while instructing a trio of medical students from the United Kingdom.
Police Insp Darren Miskin said the group were rock climbing and abseiling at the Kranskloof Nature Reserve when the incident occurred. He said Ferreira was not preparing to abseil when he fell. "He wasn't wearing a helmet or any clips or a harness. One visitor had abseiled down the gorge and Ferreira was about to send the bags down when he lost his footing and dropped to the ground," said Miskin.
Ferreira reportedly grabbed a rope hanging down the side of the gorge during his plunge and helped to break his fall. Several rescue officials went to his aid as he lay in agony at the bottom of the cliff. The K9 Search and Rescue team used ropes and pulleys to hoist Ferreira up, working for two hours before he was brought to the ledge.
Netcare 911 spokesman Chris Botha said Ferreira had sustained critical spinal, head and chest injuries. He was airlifted by Red Cross officials to St Augustine's Hospital where he died soon afterwards.
180 Degrees owner Garth Hattingh expressed sadness at Ferreira's death. He said he would not comment further until the investigation into the incident was complete.
www.themercury.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=283&fArticleId=3183909