(31 December 2004, Zimbabwe) The 100-year-old Victoria Falls Bridge,
linking Zimbabwe and Zambia, offers a spectacular view of the 80-meter
chasm. Continuous spray from the massive waterfall makes the rocks and
vegetation along the lip as slippery as a slide at a water park, but far
less tolerant of error.
While taking pictures at the falls with his girlfriend on New Year's Eve,
Michael, 50, dropped his spectacles over the rim. He would hardly be able
to enjoy the view without them, so he decided to retrieve them.
He was intelligent enough to be aware of the risk. Headmaster at Summit
College in Johannesburg, and a highly regarded lecturer at geography
conferences, he knew how to assess the physical world. Edging out on the
slick rim, reaching towards his glasses -- he slipped -- and fell 40 meters
to his death. His body was recovered by helicopter.
Heed this lesson before your trip to the "falls!"
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Submitted by: Johan Groenewald
Reference: Mail & Guardian