A 17-year-old girl died after falling from a cliff at Moffat Beach on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast on Dec. 13, according to a spokesperson for the Queensland Police Service (QPS).
Police said emergency services were called to the area at about 6:40 p.m. The teen, who has not been identified, suffered critical injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
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Authorities said a woman was treated for a minor injury after attempting to help the girl before emergency crews arrived. QPS added that a report is being prepared for the coroner.
Detective Acting Inspector Peter Hocken told Australian Broadcasting Corporation that a group of teenage girls had been watching the sunset when they climbed over a barrier to get a better view and take photos. As the group tried to climb back up, the 17-year-old slipped and fell about 30 meters (nearly 100 feet) onto rocks below, he said.
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Hocken said the girl’s friends and other witnesses provided immediate first aid. He added that the group had simply been enjoying the evening when “one wrong footstep” led to the fatal fall.
Ryan Dubyk of Queensland’s Fire and Rescue urged people to remain alert near cliff edges and to follow safety measures, telling 9News that beachgoers should respect barriers and “stay back.”
The Queensland website describes Moffat Beach as a quieter destination on the Sunshine Coast, less than a 90-minute drive from Brisbane. The site notes that the beach is not patrolled and advises visitors to be wary of the waves.
