California, US: A man working at a zip line has lost his life after trying to rescue a woman who was in danger.
Joaquin Romero, 34, was doing his job at La Jolla Zip Zoom Zipline on the La Jolla Indian Reservation in San Diego when the shocking incident unfolded.
He had been doing some work on the “receiving” platform of the zipline where he helped people visiting the attraction, and was helping a woman to get set up when she suddenly started sliding out on the zip line.
Witnesses said the man was not able to prevent the woman from sliding away but managed to catch her harness, and that is when they both started sliding further, according to The San Diego Union Tribune.
In the end, Romero fell 70 feet down and suffered multiple blunt force injuries as a consequence, as per the Medical Examiner’s Office and Cal Fire Capt. Frank LoCoco.
La Jolla ZipZoom Zipline!http://t.co/JP5t8kUOyO pic.twitter.com/TwDdubMNst
— La Jolla Zip Zoom (@ZipJolla) September 7, 2015
Emergency teams were able to transport Romero to a hospital with a helicopter, but tragically, he passed away on the morning of November 1.
In a statement to Fox 5, Norma Contreras, chairwoman of La Jolla Band Of Luiseño Indians, expressed the tribe’s condolences to the man’s family.
She went on to say:
“We are saddened and heart-broken over the recent tragic accident involving one of our employees at the La Jolla Zip Zoom Zipline. Like any employer, we pride ourselves on having a safe working environment and a safe and enjoyable experience for our customers.
Given the circumstances of the accident, the Tribe is conducting an in-depth and comprehensive investigation, in coordination and cooperation with federal and state authorities.”
Did you know? California's longest #zipline is RIGHT HERE in #NorthCounty! https://t.co/MQZ9KzCSVg @zipjolla pic.twitter.com/wCOxGqdtbE
— Your North County (@YourNorthCounty) February 23, 2017
A spokesperson for the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration confirmed that the agency is currently investigating the incident.
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