Rex Martinich
The family of a man who fell to his death from a tourist zipline have vented their anger over alleged safety breaches, saying it was a tragedy waiting to happen.
Dean Anson Sanderson’s loved ones say the death of the 50-year-old father-of-three was avoidable and should represent a “line in the sand” for safety improvements.
Sanderson, a mine project manager from Adelaide, died after plunging up to 25 metres through a rainforest canopy from a zipline in Far North Queensland on October 22, 2019.
His wife, Shannon, who also fell from the zipline at Cape Tribulation, 140 kilometres north of Cairns, was seriously injured.
They had taken the tandem zipride tour during a “bucket list” holiday.
Family and supporters wept on Tuesday as statements were given by Sanderson’s daughter, Jessica, father, Roger, and sister, Emma McCrae, at the end of a coroner’s inquest in Brisbane.
Jessica told Coroner Wayne Pennell that her father’s death was “not a freak accident”.
“This was a tragedy waiting to happen,” she said.
“Dad’s death was avoidable, the immense pain and suffering to those who knew and loved dad was avoidable.”
The inquest has been told the company operating the zipline, Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours, did not register its course design changes or employ qualified staff for construction and maintenance.
“You don’t expect a tragedy like this to happen in Australia,” Jessica said.
“You expect, subconsciously, that engaging in an experience like ziplining you are safe … you assume they have gone above and beyond what is required.”
She called for her father’s death to be a “line in the sand” to start safety improvements.
The wire rope grips at the end points of the cable where the Sandersons fell experienced “total failure” during their ride, counsel assisting, April Freeman, said.
The end points were not properly maintained and tightened using a torque wrench as required by legislation, the coroner heard.
McCrae said her brother would be missed forever and the pain of what she called an avoidable death was “unforgivable and cruel”, like no other.
“I feel so cheated and blindsided by what we have heard at the inquest,” she said.
McCrae said it was gut-wrenching that nobody had previously been held to account over her brother’s death.
Sanderson’s father, Roger, gave a statement via videolink, thanking inquest staff for being a “shining light” on matters left unresolved for too long.
“I listened with disbelief and frustration at the evidence presented at this hearing,” he said.
Roger said he had to leave the inquest at an earlier hearing to cry in anger and anguish, and to say things he could not repeat.
“We submit that those who failed to act with appropriate care, accountability and humanity should be recognised as falling short of the standards the community is entitled to expect,” he said.
“Shame on all of you.”
The coroner said he would not be able to return with his findings before late October.
“I know the family may feel they need to get closure soon, but I need to get this right,” Pennell said.
“Dean deserves to have this right.”
The family declined to comment as they left court.
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