A father died in a tragic fall while trying to retrieve a plastic bottle at Morialta National Park in Adelaide, Australia.
Stephen Queen, 34, fell on Saturday, Aug. 23, around 12:30 p.m. local time, according to South Australia Police (SAPOL).
Authorities said they responded after receiving “reports a man had fallen.” Despite efforts from “numerous emergency services,” Queen — a resident of Tranmere — was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Police are investigating the circumstances of [the] death. At this stage, it is not believed to be suspicious,” SAPOL confirmed. “Police will prepare a report for the coroner.”
Queen’s family later identified him as the victim, speaking with Nine News. They described him as a devoted father and an environmentalist deeply committed to climate issues.
Witnesses told the outlet that Queen fell into a ravine near Deep View Lookout. One bystander recalled that a woman approached him for help, explaining that Queen had tried to grab a bottle beyond a fence before slipping and falling.
“She said her friend doesn’t like littering and because he saw a bottle over the fence, he tried to go over the fence and right after that he fell down,” witness Aliman Tazudin recounted.
Park visitor William White added that “a bunch of firetrucks and police vehicles” rushed to the scene, and the park remained closed for several hours.
Queen’s sister, Katherine, told Nine News she learned of the “terrible accident” from their father.
“No one can believe it. He was so young, so full of energy,” she said in an interview also shared by 7 NEWS Adelaide. “He was passionate about climate, he was passionate about our society, and of course, he would be trying to get litter off the ground.”
She described her brother — who frequently visited the conservation park — as someone who “could talk to anyone about anything,” loved learning about “different cultures,” and had a particular fondness for coffee.
According to Nine News, Queen hoped to pursue a career in environmental science. “I want to make sure he had a lasting impact, because I know he would want that,” Katherine said.
She also spoke about his daughter, who is just 8 years old: “Everything he did was for her.”
The National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia has not yet responded to PEOPLE’s request for further comment.
