How many people have died ziplining

While zip line deaths are still a relatively rare phenomenon, as this activity becomes more popular, injuries are also on the rise. A recent study of zip line injuries in the last 16 years revealed that most of these injuries occur at commercial courses and camps. Falls, collisions, and crashing into objects at the end of the course were all common accidents.

Zip lines are extremely popular and a huge draw for summer camps. With proper safety protocols to minimize some of the risk, campers can still experience the fun and excitement of a zip line course.

The American Camp Association offers some zip line safety tips :. Topics: Summer Camp , Youth Programs. Privacy Policy. Testimonials Agent Login Policyholder Login. Show Caption. Hide Caption. From the archives: Woman dies in zip line fall. Delaware State Police say a woman fell about 40 feet from the Go Ape! Share your feedback to help improve our site! Then, after connecting her to the trolley that rides down the steel cable, the guide asked Cowles if she wanted a push off the tower to get her momentum going on the half-mile stretch.

But as Cowles began gliding down the zip line she accelerated at an uncomfortable pace. A guide on the tower below her jumped up and down, waving his arms. Moments later Cowles crashed into the tower, according to a lawsuit she recently filed in U. When Cowles suffered a concussion, a traumatic brain injury and knee fractures on the ride she became one of thousands of thrill-seekers nationwide who likewise have been urged to trust the safety of zip lines only to learn of their vulnerabilities.

The American Journal of Emergency Medicine reported following a study that the number of emergency room visits for zip-line injuries in the U. A total of 16, people were injured during that year period, the report said. There have been fatal zip-line crashes in the U. In May , Lisa Lambe, 55, of South Carolina, was killed while zip-lining at Sundance Mountain Resort in Utah when a tree snapped off and fell in her path while she was traveling between 30 mph and 60 mph down a zip line, according to media reports.

In most instances, zip line brake equipment malfunctioned or patrons failed to use brakes and people slammed into towers, Narreau said.

A few investigations are pending, he said. In some cases, private groups are operating zip lines without a state permit, believing they are exempted from stringent state rules requiring professionals to design the structures, Narreau said.

Exemptions are generally reserved for non-commercial operations. She subsequently sued Golden Bell and Cross Bearing Adventures, which claimed to have an exemption from state regulations.