Instagrammers Ignore Warnings After a Woman Falls to Her Death From a Cliff-Top Selfie Spot in Australia

Bill Pan
By Bill Pan
August 27, 2019Australia
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Instagrammers Ignore Warnings After a Woman Falls to Her Death From a Cliff-Top Selfie Spot in Australia
Stock image showing a woman taking a selfie. (Cristina Zaragoza/Unsplash)

Hours after a woman plunged to her death from a cliff-top selfie spot in Australia; tourists return to the scene to take their pictures, local media reported.

The tragic death occurred on Aug. 17 at around 11:20 a.m. when a woman slipped off a cliff at Diamond Bay Reserve.

The woman, who is believed to be 27, fell about 100 feet (30 m) onto the rocks below, according to a press release by the New South Wales Police. Bystanders treated her until paramedics arrived, but she ultimately died at the scene.

“Witnesses have told police the woman may have been taking photos when she fell,” NSW Police said in the statement.


Despite the warning signs and fences erected by the emergency crews, tourists arrived at the dangerous location within hours of the selfie tragedy. Many took photos at similar spots as had the young woman, placing themselves dangerously close to the cliff edge.

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Some residents noticed the disturbing trend and took to Facebook, saying one shouldn’t risk life for an Instagram photo, reported 7 News Australia.

“I see people climbing over it [the fence] all the time, and my heart skips a beat,” one local wrote.

“This poor, poor girl made a horrendous error of judgment… all in the name of a photo that could have been taken behind the fence,” wrote another.

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Located in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, Diamond Bay has recently witnessed an influx of tourists after an Instagram influencer popularized the spot with her scenic photos.

Concerned for tourists’ safety, emergency responders and residents had posted warning signs for those who come to the dangerous destination for the perfect Instagram photos.

“There is an ongoing and justifiable concern that visitors are irresponsibly endangering themselves and others by crossing over fencing and boundary lines and positioning themselves on the cliff ledge,” a motion by the Waverly Council noted in June, reported 7 News.

Waverley Council is investing more efforts to restrict or deter movement around the area, including the installation of CCTV, more physical barriers, multilingual signage, and more frequent ranger patrols.

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