Woman dies at selfie spot in Sydney’s east

The photo spot at Diamond Bay. CREDIT: WOLTER PEETERS. Sketched by the Pan Pacific Agency.

VAUCLUSE, Aug 18, 2019, SMH. A 27-year-old woman has died after plummeting from a cliff edge in Sydney’s eastern suburbs onto the rocks below. Police were called to Diamond Bay Reserve in Vaucluse, a popular tourist and selfie spot, at about 11.20am on Saturday after reports someone had fallen from the cliff which overlooks the ocean, reported The Sydney Morning Herald.

Witnesses said the woman appeared to be taking photos when she fell about 30 metres, police said.

The victim is believed to be from Sydney but has not yet been formally identified.

Officers from several emergency services began a large-scale operation to try to get to the woman involving PolAir, NSW Police’s aerial wing, a rescue helicopter, NSW Surf Life Saving and police rescue.

The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter winched one of its crew members to the ledge where the woman had landed and started delivering CPR in conjunction with a police officer and a surf lifesaver, the helicopter service said on Twitter.

But police said the woman could not be revived and died at the scene. Her body was retrieved by officers from PolAir.

The Westpac helicopter service said its crews’ thoughts were with the woman’s family and friends.

Waverley Council, which covers Vaucluse, announced earlier this year that it would consider a way to stop tourists seeking selfies on the dramatic cliff top walk at the Reserve from going over the edge.

A search for the hashtag #diamondbay on Instagram, previously dominated by picture-perfect photos of people with the blue sea in the background and idyllic rock steps in the foreground, includes images of emergency services responding to the tragedy.

The cliffs were previously used for abseiling, but a council report in 2001 recommended the practice be banned due to the risks of climbing in the area and the need to install fencing on top of the cliffs for safety reasons.

One local resident, who wanted to only be identified as Nic, said the area was routinely used for commercial wedding photo shoots.

“The wind down there can pick up really quick. It’s really dangerous,” Nic said. “Then there’s the commercial aspect of it as well, that really got up the goat of the rangers, locals and cops.”

“It’s been going on for probably a year now. I’m amazed [a tragedy] hasn’t happened sooner. Anyone who lives around here thinks it was bound to happen.”

Nic said the wedding parties had beaten a path around the safety rail that guards the platform at the top of the cliff and made their way to the older, unstable cliff edge below.

“There is a loop hole and people are starting to die because of it,” Nic said.

Waverley Council said it was aware of problems at Diamond Bay Reserve and was addressing those problems through more ranger patrols.

“We are also upgrading information signage and fences at our key coastal reserves and parks,” a council spokeswoman said.

The council said while it was awaiting more information about the woman’s death from police, it warned visitors to be careful around the coast.

“We do… encourage all visitors to our coastal reserves to take responsibility for their own safety and observe signage and stick to formal paths,” the spokeswoman said.

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