Tragic Accident in Boven

[bongoleo]

We are sorry to announce that yesterday afternoon a foreign climber that was climbing at Baboon buttress (rainy day crag) on Tranquilitas Farm was involved in a fatal ground-fall.
From all accounts it appears the team were climbing Dreamers a 23 at the crag, the leader climbed the route and descended, the second climber then proceeded to climb and clean the route.
When he reached the anchors he indicated that he did not want to be lowered down but would abseil off the chains. (this is common practice with some European climbers as they do not want to damage the top anchors with repeated lower offs).
The belayer took him off belay. It appears the climber then mistakenly threaded only one side of the rope through his device and started to abseil. He consequently fell about 22m to the rock base and suffered severe internal injuries.
He was pronounced dead when the medics arrived.
I would like to extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends as well as the climbing partner that was an innocent witness to this tragic event.
Also a big thanks to the team that rushed to his aid in what can only be considered difficult circumstances as the roads were almost impassable with the incessant rain.
To all the climbers, please be extra careful out there.

[MarkM]

Joh, tragic news.

RIP

[McJagger]

Very very sad news..., is there any information regarding the experience of the climber? All these accidents lately are making me nervous but way more focused on safety and double checking everything and everyone I share a rope with.

[markde101]

Wwhat do they mean by " threaded only one side of the rope through his device and started to abseil."?
Is this with regards to the ATC, not being looped

RIP to the lost climber, condolences to the family, so sorry to hear

[Gustav]

Either he did not thread both ropes through the device or he threaded both ropes but only clipped the locking carabiner through one rope.

Big thanks all the crew from Tranquilitas, climbers from town and the medics in Waterval Boven.

RIP

[deSouzaFrank]

I've been having this horrible news on my mind ever since I've read about it.

Something I can't figure out though.

Does this particular route have a standing ledge at the top anchors?

[Gustav]

Yes.

[deSouzaFrank]

Thanks Gustav. Makes sense now.

[Ghaznavid]

Tragic

I guess sometimes we need a reminder on how quickly life can come to an end.

I remember reading on this site about how to move past a knot when abseiling - maybe that protocol is worth following whenever one abseils. I think what makes it more tragic is that accidents like this are really unnecessary.

Condolences to the family and friends of the deceased