No Safety Harness in Fatal Maui Zip Line Accident

Police say the woman who died in last week’s zip line accident in Makawao, Hawaii, wasn’t secured to the landing platform with any type of safety harness.

Police said in a statement Tuesday 29-year-old Patricia Rabellizsa of Kihei was working on the platform when someone riding the zip line at Piiholo Ranch came barreling toward the platform.

Rabellizsa grabbed onto the rider to an attempt to stop the rider, but the momentum sent them both along the line. Police say Rabellizsa managed to hang on for a few minutes before losing her grip and falling about 150 feet into the gulch below.

Officials from the company haven’t responded to requests for comment.

Maui has about a half-dozen zip line attractions, which send thrill-seekers gliding along cables at speeds approaching 30 mph.