News / Local
Victoria Falls bungee jumping suspended
12 Jan 2012 at 00:08hrs | Views
THE Department of National Parks and Wildlife Management has with immediate effect suspended bungee jumping in Victoria Falls until a safety audit is done by some South African experts.
This comes after an Australian tourist Erin Langworth cheated death after plunging into the crocodile-infested Zambezi River when a bungee cord snapped at the Victoria Falls Bridge.
The authority's spokesperson, Ms Caroline Washaya Moyo, said the process would be completed within the next two to three days.
Meanwhile, the Victoria Falls Bungi Company has with immediate effect complied with the department's directive and suspended bungee jumping.
In an interview in the resort town yesterday, Shearwater Adventures director, Mr Mike Davies, confirmed the suspension of the activity, adding that the move was aimed at allowing for a safety audit into the whole bungee jumping system.
He added that the safety audit by a South African based company, Rope Workz, was basically to investigate the cause of the breakage of the cord and to approve or make recommendations on the new system which they had put in place following the accident.
"Yes, as a company, we have suspended bungee jumping as directed to allow for investigators from South Africa to carry out a safety audit into our system, give a position on the breaking of the cord and also to give a position on whether or not our new system conforms to the set standards," said Mr Davies.
He added that after the mishap, they had incorporated some new safety procedures; checks and balances, which he said would also be looked into.
Mr Davies said while bungee jumping is suspended, they would continue with other bridge activities which include bridge tour, bridge slide and bridge swing.
"We hope that in two days' time, we will commence bungee jumping."
He added that this was the only accident recorded in the 17 years the company had been operational where more than 150 000 people have safely jumped from the bridge.
A statement from the company to agents and stakeholders reads: "Please be informed that the safety auditors will arrive from South Africa on Wednesday the 11th of January 2012 to conduct a safety audit on the bungee operation.
"Bungee jumping will not be in operation during this period to allow the auditors and senior crew to conduct the safety audit without distraction.
"We expect this process to be completed over two to three days.
"Apologies for the short notice but the auditors could only confirm their flight arrival late today.
"Other bridge activities including the bridge wing, bridge slide and bridge tours, will continue as normal."
A 22-year-old Australian backpacker Erin Langworth was sent plunging into the rapids below and forced to swim through the rapids with her feet still tied together after she fell from the Victoria Falls bridge, 111-metres above the water, on New Year's Eve after the bungee cord snapped during her jump.
This comes after an Australian tourist Erin Langworth cheated death after plunging into the crocodile-infested Zambezi River when a bungee cord snapped at the Victoria Falls Bridge.
The authority's spokesperson, Ms Caroline Washaya Moyo, said the process would be completed within the next two to three days.
Meanwhile, the Victoria Falls Bungi Company has with immediate effect complied with the department's directive and suspended bungee jumping.
In an interview in the resort town yesterday, Shearwater Adventures director, Mr Mike Davies, confirmed the suspension of the activity, adding that the move was aimed at allowing for a safety audit into the whole bungee jumping system.
He added that the safety audit by a South African based company, Rope Workz, was basically to investigate the cause of the breakage of the cord and to approve or make recommendations on the new system which they had put in place following the accident.
"Yes, as a company, we have suspended bungee jumping as directed to allow for investigators from South Africa to carry out a safety audit into our system, give a position on the breaking of the cord and also to give a position on whether or not our new system conforms to the set standards," said Mr Davies.
He added that after the mishap, they had incorporated some new safety procedures; checks and balances, which he said would also be looked into.
"We hope that in two days' time, we will commence bungee jumping."
He added that this was the only accident recorded in the 17 years the company had been operational where more than 150 000 people have safely jumped from the bridge.
A statement from the company to agents and stakeholders reads: "Please be informed that the safety auditors will arrive from South Africa on Wednesday the 11th of January 2012 to conduct a safety audit on the bungee operation.
"Bungee jumping will not be in operation during this period to allow the auditors and senior crew to conduct the safety audit without distraction.
"We expect this process to be completed over two to three days.
"Apologies for the short notice but the auditors could only confirm their flight arrival late today.
"Other bridge activities including the bridge wing, bridge slide and bridge tours, will continue as normal."
A 22-year-old Australian backpacker Erin Langworth was sent plunging into the rapids below and forced to swim through the rapids with her feet still tied together after she fell from the Victoria Falls bridge, 111-metres above the water, on New Year's Eve after the bungee cord snapped during her jump.
Source - TC
