Lets have an investigation - into how we can close
places, or charge a fee (not the start of the story the middle down)
Elderly man killed in national
park fall
The elderly man was part of a tourist group visiting
Mitchell Falls in Western Australia's rugged
Kimberley region earlier today when he fell, a police spokesman said.
Rescue teams were on Monday on their way to the
Mitchell River National
Park, about 350km north-east of
Derby.
Once there, the team is expected to retrieve the body of the man, who is believed to fallen from one of the many cliffs in the area.
"The
ranger supposedly has been down and ... has confirmed he is deceased," the police spokesman said.
No other people are believed to have been injured.
Details of the victim's identity and nationality have not been released.
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His death comes amid an investigation into adventure tourism in WA.
Last week, fears were held for a tour guide and 10 of his clients after they spent a near-freezing night on a rock ledge in WA's
Karijini National Park.
The group was found safe and
well last Monday morning, but the incident prompted Tourism Minister Mark McGowan to call for an investigation into the adventure tourism industry in WA.
Premier Geoff Gallop offered his condolences to the dead man's family.
"I don't know the details of this tragic incident but obviously we express our sympathies to the family and friends of the person who is deceased," Dr Gallop told reporters.
The premier said a close examination of adventure tourism and wilderness tourism was required.
"The whole question of adventure tourism and wilderness tourism needs analysis, so that we make sure we have got the proper framework, licensing and accreditation in place," Dr Gallop said.
"There is a growth in adventure tourism, and people are wanting a more authentic, wilderness type experience - and that does carry dangers.
"We have got make sure we have got our industry working properly, and the minister is going to review all of the circumstances and the policies that surround adventure tourism in WA."
The 115,300 hectare
Mitchell River National
Park lies in some of the most remote and inaccessible country in Australia and is generally only accessible in the dry season from May to October.
Mitchell Falls, a series of waterfalls and pools culminating in a deep gorge, is one of its biggest drawcards.
Spate of tourist mishaps in remote WA
April 2, 2004 - An SES rescue worker is killed and four people stranded after a flash flood sweeps through Oxer
Lookout at
the junction of Weano, Red, Hancock and Joffre Gorges in the
Karijini National Park.
April 20, 2004 - Two people die within 24 hours of each other, when a 25-year-old man falls to his death into
Dales Gorge in the
Karijini National Park, the day after a 74-year-old NSW man dies while walking in the
Purnululu National Park, in the
Kimberley region.
April 12, 2005 - Two men perish on the edge of the
Great Sandy Desert after their 31-year-old Land Rover breaks down, and they then make a desperate 14km trek to find
water in the blistering heat.
May 21, 2005 - A German tourist lays injured for almost 12 hours on a
cliff face and is then airlifted to hospital after falling five metres into
Hancock Gorge in the
Karijini National Park. She tumbles five metres, breaking her wrist.
June 13, 2005 - Ten tourists, mostly Japanese, are led out of a remote gorge in the
Karijini National Park following a frantic overnight search.
June 20, 2005 - An 85-year-old man falls to his death in the
Mitchell River National
Park.
AAP
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/elderly-man-killed-in-national-park-fall/2005/06/20/1119250924768.html