Tributes Pour in for Environmentalist Who Died Attempting to Collect Litter
A 34-year-old man has died after falling from a cliff at a popular Adelaide hiking spot in what his family has described as a “freak accident” that occurred while he was trying to retrieve a piece of litter.
The man, identified as Stephen Queen, was hiking in Morialta Conservation Park on Saturday when the incident occurred. Police are not treating the death as suspicious.
The incident took place shortly after midday on Saturday, August 23. Mr. Queen was hiking with a friend when he reportedly went to pick up a discarded water bottle located just off the main path.
It is believed he climbed over a safety barrier, slipped, and fell down a steep ravine. Emergency services responded to the scene, but he could not be revived.
Police Investigation and Tributes
South Australia Police are investigating the circumstances of the fall and will prepare a report for the state coroner.
In a social media post, Mr. Queen’s sister, Katherine, confirmed her brother died “doing something he loved dearly.”
She described him as an “avid environmentalist” who was in his final year of a science degree with hopes of working in the field. Mr. Queen was a father to an eight-year-old daughter.