An abseiling instructor has tragically died after falling into a cave while teaching a group of high school students on an excursion.
As reported by News.com.au, the incident occurred at the Brides Cave in Western Australia on Thursday afternoon (March 16). A spokesperson for Western Australia Police revealed that emergency units were dispatched to the popular location at around 3:20PM following reports that a man had fallen into the cave and urgently required medical assistance.
The man was later identified as 53-year-old Marcello Silveira, an abseiling instructor who had been taking a group of students and teachers from Perth's Newman College on an excursion in the Margaret River region.
"A number of students and teachers had already abseiled down to the bottom of the cave area when the instructor fell," the police spokesman said in a press release.
After a number of Year 11 students had made their way into the cave, Silveira started to abseil down, but then suddenly fell.
The spokesperson continued: "First aid was provided to the man until an RAC Rescue helicopter paramedic was lowered down into the cave and took over care of the patient."
Sadly, despite their best efforts, the instructor soon became unresponsive. Police say he died at the scene.
Sergeant Simone Taplin of Western Australia police told press that "a lot of effort was put in place" to try and revive Silveira.
"DFES State Emergency Service volunteers and colleagues of the deceased man were able to provide guidance and instruction to safely recover the deceased, students and teachers from the bottom of the cave," the statement added.
Sgt Taplin added that officials worked as quickly as they could in order to retreat the children from the cave, in an effort to "limit the exposure they had had." After all the students were placed on a bus, they were spoken to by a police counselor.
News.com.au reports that WorkSafe are now preparing a report for the coroner.
Following the incident, Margaret River Shire President Paula Cristoffanini issued a heartfelt tribute to Silveira, describing the instructor as "a much-loved local member of our community".
"I’d like to extend my condolences with the victim’s family, friends and all involved in this unfortunate event," Cristoffanini said. "We are a close and resilient community here in Margaret River, and now is a time to support once another and all who knew this wonderful man. He will be greatly missed."
Additionally, per PerthNow, Adam Marr - the chief executive for peak outdoor activities group Outdoors WA - also honored Silveira, calling him a "highly-experienced industry professional".
“Our sincere condolences go out to the instructor’s family, friends, everyone present when this accident happened, and the local community,” he said.
"The impact of this fatality is felt across the whole outdoors sector here in Western Australia," Marr added. "We will wait for and support the authorities to complete their investigations before we are in a position to comment further."
Our thoughts are with Silveira's family and loved ones at this time, as well as anybody who has been affected by this tragedy.
