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A zip line worker from Southern California died on Monday, two days after he fell dozens of feet while trying to help a customer out of their harness.
According to the San Diego Medical Examiner’s Office, 34-year-old Joaquin Romero died of multiple “blunt force injuries” he sustained while working on the receiving platform of a zip line on the La Jolla Indian Reservation in Pauma Valley on Saturday.
Romero was helping a woman on aLa Jolla Zip Zoom Zip Lineplatform when she began to slide down the line, a witness toldKSWB. He reportedly grabbed the woman’s harness to keep her from sliding but was pulled onto the line with her, and they both dangled dozens of feet above the ground.
Because he believed they would both fall due to their combined weight, Romero let go of the harness and sacrificed himself for the woman’s safety, the witness told the news station.
The fall was about 70 feet, theSan Diego Union-Tribunereported.
“Paramedics transported [Romero] to the Sharp Memorial Hospital Emergency Department (ED) via helicopter,” the coroner said in a report. “He arrived pulseless and cardiopulmonary resuscitation was initiated.”
Representatives from La Jolla Zip Zoom Zip Line did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Normal Contreras, tribal chairwoman with the La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians, told KSWB that the tribe has extended their “sincere condolences to our employee and his family for their loss.”
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“Like any employer, we pride ourselves on having a safe working environment and a safe and enjoyable experience for our customers,” she told the outlet. “Given the circumstances of the accident, the Tribe is conducting an in-depth and comprehensive investigation, in coordination and cooperation with federal and state authorities.”
“Until this investigation is completed, we won’t be able to provide any further comment on this incident. We ask that you join us in keeping our employee and his family in our prayers,” she continued.
According to theUnion-Tribune, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration is conducting an investigation.
source: people.com
