A public coroner's hearing in Brisbane heard that Dean Anson Sanderson died and his wife Sharon was seriously injured after an alleged zip line failure at Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours on Oct. 22, 2019. Experts said the cable termination—clamped with a "bulldog clip"—failed and torque on the grips was as little as one-seventh of federal standards. The couple fell about 65 to 82 feet; Dean died at the scene and Sharon suffered multiple fractures. Coroner Wayne Pennell has ordered a five-day inquest to begin in March to examine safety standards and the circumstances of the collapse.
Australian Tourist Killed, Wife Severely Injured After Alleged Zip Line Failure; Five-Day Inquest Ordered
GoFundMeA photo of Dean Sanderson
An Australian man died and his wife was seriously injured after a commercial zip line allegedly failed during a tour at Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours in Cape Tribulation on October 22, 2019. A public coroner's hearing in Brisbane on Dec. 11 heard expert evidence that the cable termination and anchoring method was likely the cause of the collapse.
What Happened
Dean Anson Sanderson, a father of three from Adelaide, and his wife Sharon were taking a tandem zip line across an approximately 282-foot (86-meter) span of rainforest canopy. Mr. Sanderson traveled first and Mrs. Sanderson followed.
GoFundMeA photo of Dean Sanderson via GoFundMe
Collapse and Injuries
According to testimony presented at the hearing, the couple lost momentum roughly midway across the line, and both fell to the forest floor. Witnesses reported hearing a loud bang and feeling the tower vibrate before seeing the pair plunge an estimated 65 to 82 feet (20 to 25 meters). Dean Sanderson sustained catastrophic head and chest injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene; Sharon Sanderson suffered serious injuries including broken ribs and a fractured scapula.
Expert Findings
Expert reports examined how the zip line cable had been terminated and anchored. Investigators say the cable had been looped through anchor points and clamped in place using a "bulldog clip" configuration that did not secure the cable properly. Workplace Health and Safety Queensland expert Stuart Davies told investigators the torque holding the wire in place on the day of the incident was as little as one-seventh of federal standards.
Cavan Images/GettyA photo of Cape Tribulation rainforest & beaches in Queensland, Australia
"The termination on the zipline used by Mr. Sanderson totally failed on the day of the incident, such that there was no loop at the end. The rope has completely come away and has ended up on the forest floor," attorney April Freeman told the court.
Freeman and other witnesses told the court that visual inspection alone cannot reliably reveal how tight grips are and that wire rope grips can lose torque as a rope settles. Routine retightening and maintenance were highlighted as essential to preserve the strength of such systems.
Aftermath and Next Steps
The operator, Keydane, ceased operating on the day of the incident and is no longer a registered business. Authorities have launched two prosecutions through Workplace Health and Safety Queensland but, to date, no convictions have been secured. Following the Dec. 11 hearing, Coroner Wayne Pennell ordered a five-day inquest beginning in March to examine safety standards for zip line amusement rides and other factors that could prevent similar tragedies.
Note: Reporting in court described an "alleged" equipment failure; the inquest will further investigate causes and whether safety obligations were breached.
