A 58-year-old woman has fallen more than 40 metres to her death from the top of a waterfall in Far North Queensland.
The tragedy at Windin Falls trail, about 60 kilometres south of Cairns, will no doubt re-open the debate about what more – if anything – authorities can do to keep visitors safe in remote beauty spots.
Windin Falls has become a popular site for tourists because of a natural ‘infinity pool’ at the top of the falls that overlooks a lush rainforest valley.
Queensland police said the woman slipped and fell from the pools, at the top of the falls yesterday afternoon.
State Emergency Service area controller Peter Rinaudo said it was a very, very pretty place … but one that could be extremely dangerous, as well.
“There’s a couple of small pools that come from a nearby creek that then plummet straight over the side of a cliff face,” Mr Rinaudo told the ABC. “So, if you are in the water in the creek it’s just like an infinity pool and you can look down the gorges down towards Palmerston National Park.”
Queensland Police will prepare a report for the coroner.
As increasing numbers of grey nomads and other adventurers head bush, it is all too easy to forget that even relatively popular spots are still ultimately wilderness areas … and that means enormous care is needed.
A couple of years ago, an elderly woman fell 10 metres and injured herself at Mossman Gorge in Queensland. Before that, the bodies of two men were found at the base of a cliff in a rock climbing location in the Flinders Ranges. A man also drowned while swimming at Fern Pool in Karijini National Park. And massive searches for missing bushwalkers have become relatively commonplace.
This growing list of incidents and tragedies has left national park authorities facing something of a dilemma … how do they balance maximising the safety of visitors with allowing them full access to the incredible beauty of Australia’s stunning gorges, trails, mountains and rock pools.
The New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service says nobody wants to see a national park filled with obtrusive fences but sometimes it says it is left with little choice.
“Before people enter dangerous areas such as cliff tops and tidal rock shelves, we urge them to think about the consequences of their actions,” said an NPWS spokesperson. “Safety is also a personal responsibility and park management encourages visitors to be aware of their own physical abilities and experience when deciding on which activities to undertake in our national parks.”
South Australia’s Department for Environment and Water says it is important for visitors to research the places they are going and to take direction from park rangers.
“Exploring national parks is an opportunity to discover untouched beauty,” said a spokesperson. “However, it is not possible to remove or treat all potential hazards and risks in parks.”
So sad… our thoughts and prayers go out the the family and friends. Everybody take care during your adventures please and stay safe.
Unfortunately authorities cannot enforce or implement “common sense”. All the signs, barriers, warnings etc. will not stop these types of tragedies.