A teenage tourist plunged to her death from a cliff swing in China after raising concerns about her safety harness. The accident occurred at the Maliuyan Waterfall in Huayin, southwestern China, on May 3. The 16-year-old tourist, identified only by her surname Liu, was strapped into a harness as staff prepared to send her out over the gorge.
Excited friends were heard talking and laughing as Liu, with a cloth draped behind her like a cape, was moved towards the edge of the platform. However, Liu was heard shouting several times that the rope was ‘not tight enough’ before she left the secure area. Moments later, as she was pushed out over the drop, she suddenly slipped down a few inches as if something had come loose.
One person on the platform could be seen reaching towards her, but Liu then plunged into the gorge below. Local reports said the safety rope snapped as soon as she left the platform, sending her falling onto the cliff face. Liu survived the initial fall but died on her way to the hospital, according to local media.
The cliff swing was reportedly being operated by an outdoor adventure company identified as Chongqing Adventure Camp. The company had promoted the attraction on its WeChat public account back in March. Officials have since closed the scenic area for rectification and launched an investigation.
Local authorities have preliminarily classified the incident as a production safety responsibility accident. The park announced it would remain shut until May 10 for equipment inspection and maintenance. A staff member for the operator said the company was in contact with Liu’s family and was cooperating with the authorities.
The accident became one of the top trending topics on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, where users criticised the operators for allegedly ignoring Liu’s warnings. One user said: ‘They disregarded human life. A small oversight has taken away the future of this young girl.’
