Overview
- Dean Sanderson died and his wife, Shannon, was seriously injured after a 20–25 metre fall from a Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours zipline at Cape Tribulation on 22 October 2019.
- Counsel assisting cited expert findings that a wire rope grip termination came away, causing the line to unspool and the couple to drop from the span.
- Workplace Health and Safety Queensland expert Stuart Davies reported the grip torque was as little as one‑seventh of federal standards with calculations indicating up to two tonnes of force on the termination.
- The hearing was told wire rope grips require torque‑checked installation and periodic retightening, and that their condition cannot be verified by visual inspection alone.
- Coroner Wayne Pennell ordered a five‑day inquest from 2 March 2026 to probe safety standards and operator qualifications after earlier prosecutions failed and the operating company was deregistered.