Local News
Base Jump Accident at Pierces Pass
On the weekend of 3 & 4 September 2005 a BASE jumper was injured whilst jumping from Pierces Pass in the Grose Valley, Blue Mountains. After numerous high profile BASE jump deaths in the last year, this accident received a lot of media attention.
The rescue of the injured BASE jumper at Pierces Pass took 6 hours and had an estimated cost of $20,000. This was the second accident that this BASE jumper has had in the Grose Valley this year.
BASE jumping is illegal in the National Park and incurs a fine of $3,000 if caught, although in this instance the BASE jumper will not be fined by National Parks. The matter has been referred to the police.
In the subsequent scrutiny of this accident, there have been calls by some individuals in politics, the media, and rescue services for the injured BASE jumper to pay the full cost of the rescue.
Whilst BASE jumping is an illegal pursuit, should the cost of the rescue fall to the BASE jumper?
Your say…
We welcome your input on this topic. Send an email and we will publish the responses on this page.
"Now-a-days in some jurisdictions BASE jumping is legal. Jump sites are properly prepared. Safety is paramount. Accidents are minimised. Resources are in place for when the relatively few accidents do occur. In other jurisdictions, BASE jumping is illegal. People jump at dangerous and clandestine sites. There are more accidents and the resources are not in place when accidents occur. Why has Australia adopted the "stick your head in the sand and pretend it does not exist" approach?
Kane M. 16/11/2005
"One day, BASE jumping will be accepted by the authorities as a legitimate outdoor pursuit. The fact that people have accidents whilst jumping will be accepted in the same manner as accidents that occur in canyons, rockclimbing or abseiling."
Ella B.