A man who died after slipping and falling off a cliff in Sydney‘s south while whale-watching has been identified as 19-year-old U.S. man Gavin Paul Zimmerman.
Zimmerman, a missionary with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, was reportedly touring the clifftops at Kurnell – a popular whale-watching spot – with around 20 other missionaries when it is believed he slipped and fell into the water. Lifeguards retrieved him from the water but were unable to resuscitate him.
In a statement provided to several news outlets in Australia and the United States, his parents Raymond and Jeanette Zimmerman described him as a “great example”:
He enjoyed teaching people and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. He loved the saviour Jesus Christ and his family, and we loved him. Gavin was a bright light in our lives! We are so grateful for our Father in Heaven’s plan of salvation. We know that we will be with him again one day. Our family will miss him greatly until we meet again.
Chief Inspector Chris Hill said that it was a case of misadventure.
“It would appear at this time he was here with a group of friends to go whale watching,” he told reporters at the scene. “They’ve made their way down to the rock platform … He’s slipped and fallen over the edge and unfortunately died.”
Just six weeks ago, 30-year-old Paul Lukasiewicz fell to his death from the same spot. Inspector Hill advised anyone visiting the area to be careful and heed warning signs.
“Those rocks are very slippery,” he said. “For your safety, we recommend that you stay up on the whale watching platform and please don’t go down on the rocks.”
