A TAFE abseiling student has died after a 65 metre fall from Malaita Wall in Katoomba.
The 20-year-old man died while abseiling on Friday, October 7.
Emergency services were called to Katoomba cliffs about 8am after being told a man abseiling in a group had fallen from Malaita Wall.
The tragic accident occurred during a training course. Police confirmed to the Gazette it was a TAFE assessment course.
TAFE guides assisted the student before NSW Ambulance paramedics arrived but the man died at the scene.
Officers from the Police Bomb and Rescue Squad retrieved the student's body about 11am. His name has not yet been released.
A popular abseiling spot in the Jamison Valley, Malaita Wall (also spelt Malatia on some national park signs), is about 200m of vertical cliff, with the first and longest abseil 45m.
The abseil near Scenic World has views of The Three Sisters. It is described by one local adventure company as a five-pitch journey "sure to make your heart pound!"
TAFE was contacted for comment and directed the Gazette to police. Police said "Detectives attached to Blue Mountains Police have initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the man's death. SafeWork NSW has been notified."
The tight-knit outdoor adventure industry has been left reeling by the incident.
CEO of Outdoors NSW/ACT Lori Modde said: "It is indeed a tragedy and we extend our heartfelt condolences, thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and colleagues. Out of respect to the family we won't be commenting on the incident until the investigations are complete. We are focusing our full efforts on support for the industry and those colleagues directly affected as the whole industry is grieving from this event."
The outdoor leadership course at Blue Mountains TAFE is one of the key training pipelines for the NSW outdoor recreation industry.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.