SYDNEY Tower says it put in new safety procedures to prevent people taking their lives after a woman died in March.
Sydney Tower Eye divisional director Rob Smith confirmed that a second person took his life on the building last night, and that staff and customers were receiving counselling as a result.
“This is a very distressing situation for all those involved, and our thoughts are with the family and friends of the guest, the Sydney Tower Eye team, and our guests,” Mr Smith said in a statement.
The incident is now under investigation.
Mr Smith said Sydney Tower Eye reviewed its safety measures after the March 8 death, which led to a number of changes designed to prevent similar incidents.
These included the introduction of a full body harness for tourists, which was developed in consultation with third-party safety experts.
Mr Smith said the new measures went “well beyond” industry standards and placed “strict controls” that meant people could only remove the harnesses if they had a “deliberate and significant intention” to do so.
The tower also made “significant modifications” to harness equipment, safety attachments, clothing and safety briefing protocols to “deter tampering”.
“The safety of our guests and staff is always our number one priority and we will take all the necessary actions to ensure their welfare,” Mr Smith said.
“While an investigation is under way it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
The Sydney Tower Eye Observation Deck has now reopened but the Skywalk will remain closed until further notice.
Guests who have booked for the next seven days will be automatically refunded or contacted by staff.
More information on opening times can be found here.
CALLS FOR TOWER TO BE CLOSED
There are calls for Sydney Tower’s Skywalk attraction to be shut down for good after a second person took their life from the attraction in four months.
Emergency services rushed to the Harbour City’s tallest building about 7pm last night, after reports that a man had fallen to his death.
The popular tourist attraction — known to Sydneysiders as Centrepoint Tower — was closed this morning.
About a dozen confused tourists congregated at the base of the tower, after staff members turned them away and told them to wait in the nearby lounges or the food court.
Some tourists could been napping on lounge chairs at the attraction’s entrance before there was a mad dash to the observation deck once the doors opened at 12pm.
Some visitors weren’t as patient and changed their plans because of the closure.
Alexis Gibson who wanted to visit the observation deck with her two mates, all from Vancouver, Canada, said the group were planning to scale the tower this morning, but they “knew something was wrong” as soon as they approached staff members at the attraction’s desk.
“There were signs on metal poles saying it was closed and there were quite a few staff members waiting for us as we walked up to the reception area, they didn’t look happy so we knew something was wrong,” she said.
Ms Gibson said she was “so sad” to hear of last night’s tragedy and she felt for the staff, who had to explain to crowds of visitors why the observation deck was closed.
One staff member said there had been an “incident” and the Skywalk would be closed “for a long time”. People who had booked a ticket to the top of the tower will be refunded.
Sydney Tower Eye tweeted shortly after last night’s incident that the attraction would be closed until further notice.
However, there is a growing sentiment on social media that the attraction should be locked down for good unless a radical safety overhaul is undertaken.
“I’m deeply saddened by this news and would suggest that it is time to close the attraction for good,” one person wrote on Twitter.
“Please close it down, for your employees’ mental health,” wrote another.
“Think of the employees that have to go through this horror. It should be closed down.
“No one should have to see that or be in that situation and there is no way of approving everyone’s mental state prior to climbing.”
However, the calls for closure were not supported by everyone, with some suggesting stronger safety measures to stop people ripping their harnesses off would suffice.
A NSW Police spokeswoman confirmed that ambulance services were called around 7pm after reports a person “had jumped” from the building.
“The body of a man was found a short time later, not in public view,” the spokeswoman said.
“A crime scene has been established which will be examined by forensic specialists.
“Inquiries suggest the incident is self harm related. A report will be prepared for the coroner.”
The tragedy comes just four months after a woman died after she removed her harness during the Skywalk tour at the top of the building, which sits above the Westfield shopping centre in Sydney’s CBD.
The woman, a 22-year-old from Sydney’s south, unclipped her safety harness and jumped from the Skywalk attraction on Sydney Tower, which is the second tallest observation tower in the Southern Hemisphere.
It was revealed shortly after that guests on the Skywalk are able to free themselves from the harnesses they must wear to perform the walk — but must sign a form declaring they will not before the walk begins.
“This belt can be loosened by the wearer,” the company said it a statement after the death earlier this year. “However all guests are provided with training and sign a Declaration Form prior to embarking on Skywalk that they cannot tamper with or remove the equipment while taking part in the experience.”
Sydney Tower Eye Divisional Director Rob Smith said at the time that the attraction and Skywalk operate “to the highest quality standards conforming to all regulatory requirements, building codes and best practice in the industry”.
After a review following the March incident, the company replaced the full restraint belt with a full-body fall restraint harness.
The new fall restraint harness is worn underneath the Skywalk body suit and is fitted over the shoulder of each guest. The belt is then safety clipped together by a Skywalk professional.
“As part of these procedures we undertake a rigid safety program including daily safety checks before opening, in depth training for all staff, preventive control measures and comprehensive maintenance schedules; all of which are developed and monitored by independent, third party experts,” he said. “Safety will always be our number one priority.”
If you or someone you love is in crisis or needs support right now, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or BeyondBlue on 1300 224 636. If it is an emergency please call 000.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7r7HWrGWcp51jrrZ7zZqroqeelrlwutKwZJqbpGS7psPSaKqynJ6axm7AzrCcq2WUmq61tIypqailoKnAbq%2FApaOsZZakv26t062pmpuknryvedOoZJudXai1tsDDqK6nZ56axLR50q2mq7FfbrGigpZwaGxulGeEcn%2BVm5lyb2Vps3Kwj25vb3CWbq8%3D