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Young man becomes second tourist to plunge to death at Gibraltar Falls just week after teen died

Emergency responders arrived at the scene where the man had fallen and found him unconscious in the water at about 6 pm on Saturday, February 18

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA: A young man died after falling off a cliff at the popular Gibraltar Falls — marking the second death at the tourist destination in a week. The 22-year-old is said to have plunged from the popular waterfall located southwest of Canberra at about 5.25 pm on Saturday, February 18.

Emergency responders arrived at the scene where the man had fallen and found him unconscious in the water at about 6 pm. However, he couldn't be revived and a report is expected to be prepared by the coroner. It's worth noting that the unidentified man is the second person to die at the tourist hotspot in the past week after 19-year-old Thomas Livingstone fell from the same cliff at 11.15 am last Sunday, February 12. Officials have closed the waterfall to the public pending a safety review which may take a couple of weeks to complete.

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Who was Thomas Livingstone?

Livingstone was a member of the Sydney Rowing Club and had moved to Canberra from NSW to attend the Australian National University, according to Daily Mail Australia. Rowing NSW posted a tribute to Livingstone, lauding his many achievements in the sport. "Tom was a down-to-earth, hardworking oarsman, having rowed and been Captain of Boats and a senior prefect at his school Shore," the club said in a statement. The sporting organization revealed that Livingstone was selected for the Australian under-19 men’s eight but was unable to tour due to Covid-19 and competed at the World Rowing Cup III Simulation Regatta in Adelaide instead.

"Rowing Australia is incredibly saddened to hear of the tragic passing of Tom Livingstone over the weekend," the club wrote. "We send our deepest condolences to Tom's family and friends." Meanwhile, the rower's loved ones posted tributes on social media. “So much love, fly high mate," Tom Neal wrote. “He was loved by so many. We miss you King Livo," Holly Goulston added, as quoted by Sydney Morning Herald. ACT Parks and Conservation rangers rushed to provide first aid to the tragic 19-year-old last Sunday morning, February 12, until emergency services arrived at about 11.15 am. “Despite the best efforts of all involved, the man was pronounced deceased at the scene,” police said in a statement.

Dangers at Gibraltar Falls

Gibraltar Falls — a 50m waterfall located near Namadgi National Park — has signage at the area warning of a “dangerous cliff edge” and urges visitors to stick to the path. The location is a popular swimming spot despite the warnings.

This comes just weeks after the ACT Parks and Conservation Service reminded visitors of the dangers of the falls. “Just a reminder that it is not advisable to swim or walk on Gibraltar Falls (despite what you might’ve heard from friends or online),” it said in a statement. “Gibraltar Falls is an excellent picnic spot with amazing views from the lookout. However, the cliff edges are extremely dangerous. Serious accidents have occurred here when people have ignored the formal tracks and signs," the service added. Geoffrey Rutledge, ACT deputy director-general of environment, water, and emissions reduction, said the government wanted visitors to view the falls and not swim near them. "The signage is clear that we want people to enjoy the falls, enjoy nature, and the tracks and trails are there to ensure that people, whether they are first-time users or seasoned bushwalkers, they enjoy nature in its elements," he told ABC News in a statement.