Details emerge of Daintree zip line fatality

The man who died after falling more than 10 metres at the Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours in the Daintree Rainforest north of Cairns on Tuesday has been named as Dean Sanderson, a 50-year-old from Adelaide.

His 48-year-old wife Shannon - who was in a separate harness but launched at the same time - also fell and is in a serious condition with spinal injuries at the Cairns Hospital.

With the matter now being investigated by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WorkSafe Queensland), reports suggested that the zip line snapped as the couple were travelling along it, although there has been no indication of how or why it broke.

A woman who witnessed the incident told the ABC that she was behind the couple when their line snapped, advising “the twang when the zip line came back up made an awful noise, then there was just silence for what seemed like forever.

“And then the lady was just screaming for help, a terrible blood-curdling scream that I never wish to hear again.”

Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours Director Phoebe Kitto has spoken about her shock at the “incredibly tragic circumstances”, telling Brisbane-newspaper The Courier Mail that she was unable to explain how the tragedy unfolded.

Advising that the business would be completely open and transparent with authorities so they could figure out how the tragedy occurred, Kitto stated “our condolences go out to the family, this is just such a tragedy. We are completely in shock here at Jungle Surfing, and we are thinking of the family first and foremost.

“We’re also thinking obviously of the other people that were on the tour. Some of whom witnessed the event which is a terrible thing to have to experience.

“And our staff have been severely impacted by this tragic event.”

Queensland Tourism Minister Kate Jones also passed on her condolences, noting "I can assure all members that the tourism operators will comply fully with the police and also with Workplace Health and Safety in their investigations.”

Investigations into the cause of the fall are continuing with police and Workplace Health and Safety staff at the site.

Images: The zip line in operation prior to this week’s incident (top, Facebook/Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours) and  Dean and Shannon Sanderson have been identified as the victims of the accident (below, Facebook/Shannon Sanderson).