Police are urging bushwalkers to stick to marked tracks after a man fell to his death from a cliff at a beach reserve in Tasmania.
The 19-year-old was reportedly on a hike at Cape Deslacs at Clifton Beach south-east of Hobart when the accident happened.
Acting Sergeant Jake Sansom told the ABC that the alarm was quickly raised by the man’s bushwalking friend.
The man, whose identity has not been released, was found at the base of a cliff on the eastern side of the cape.
Crew from the Tasmania Police rescue helicopter were winched down to assess his injuries.
“Medical treatment was commenced at the scene with the man being removed via the helicopter to a nearby property where he, unfortunately, died of his injuries,” said Sergeant Sansom. “Our initial inquiries indicate the man has walked close to the cliff edge, unfortunately slipping, which resulted in him falling.”
The early indications are that the man may have been walking off the main marked track at the time.
“Our advice to members of the public who go out bushwalking is that they stay on the marked trails, however, it is obviously a tragic incident,” Sergeant Sansom tosl the ABC. “The family are obviously devastated… and our thoughts go out to the family and friends of the 19-year-old man involved.”
The bushwalk is about two kilometres long and takes 45 minutes to complete on foot.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
