Thirty-four year-old Joaquin Romero died Monday after trying to help a woman get hooked on the platform prior to ziplining in the Pauma Valley area. The incident occurred on Saturday at La Jolla Zip Zoom Zipline, which is on the La Jolla Indian Reservation.
The woman began sliding out on the line as Romero was getting her buckled in, and he was unable to stop her from sliding further while ensuring her harness was fastened appropriately. His immediate reaction was to grab onto her harness, which caused them both to slide out about 100 feet above the ground.
Witnesses watched in horror as Romero let go in an act of heroism as he feared the hook holding them onto the line would snap due to the weight of them both.
A close friend shared with KTLA sister station KSWB in San Diego that it was a selfless act to save someone’s life. When Cal Fire arrived, Romero had been found with major trauma injuries. He was pulled up to the road above using a low-angle rope rescue system. He was then airlifted to the hospital.
“We are saddened and heart-broken over the recent tragic accident involving one of our employees at the La Jolla Zip Zoom Zipline,” said Normal Contreras, tribal chairwoman with the La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians, in a statement emailed to KSWB on Monday. “The Tribe, Tribal officials, employees and Tribal members extend our sincere condolences to our employee and his family for their loss.”
The attraction range offers three zipline courses that range from 300 to 2,00 feet in length, and zipliners can reach speeds up to 55 mph.
A GoFundMe for Romero has been started for funeral services and to support the young child he has left behind....click HERE if you'd like to donate.