A tragic incident in Queensland ended with a man's death and his wife’s serious injuries when a tourist zip line system failed due to insufficiently anchored equipment, a coronial inquest has heard.
Coroner Wayne Pennell conducted a pre-inquest hearing on Thursday regarding the death of Dean Sanderson at Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours in Cape Tribulation, in north Queensland, which occurred on 22 October 2019.
Counsel assisting April Freeman cited two expert reports that both pointed to a problem with the anchoring technique used for the wire. The method, described as a “wire rope grip” or “bulldog clip,” involves the wire passing through a thimble that clamps it in place.
The wire subsequently unwound from the anchor point, causing Sanderson and his wife, Shannon, to plummet roughly 20 to 25 metres to the ground. Shannon sustained broken ribs and a fractured shoulder blade, while Dean Sanderson died at the scene from head and chest injuries.
Freeman noted that it is difficult to visually assess how tight these grips are, and their torque can diminish over time as a rope settles. Regular retightening and ongoing maintenance are also required to keep the system secure.
The coroner heard that the torque in use at the time may have been as little as one-seventh of what federal standards require, based on a Workplace Health and Safety Queensland assessment by expert Stuart Davies.
Mr. Davies’ calculations indicated that there was at least two tons of force acting on the main termination as the couple traveled along the zip line.
Federal standards regarding these terminations appeared to be inconsistent: some provisions outright prohibited their use, while others allowed them under specific conditions.
Freeman highlighted ongoing industry uncertainty about the suitability of wire rope terminations for such applications.
The zip line was designed to transport tourists in tandem, spanning about 86 metres between two towers as part of a broader course through the rainforest. At the time of the incident, the Sandersons were part of a 10-person tour.
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland subsequently brought two prosecutions related to the incident, though no conviction followed. The operating company has since been deregistered by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
The five-day inquest is scheduled for March next year, during which the coroner will examine 11 issues, including the safety standards for zip line amusement rides and whether the operators’ qualifications met appropriate requirements prior to the accident.
