Coroner's Finding: Chilvers, Peter Michael
Deceased
Peter Michael Warrington Chilvers
Demographics
49y, male
Date of death
2021-03-19
Finding date
2021-11-16
Cause of death
Massive non-survivable head, trunk and limb injuries from a fall of approximately 100 metres
AI-generated summary
Peter Chilvers, a 49-year-old experienced mountaineer, died in a tragic recreational climbing accident on Mt Geryon in Tasmania on 19 March 2021. While attempting to abseil down South Geryon as part of a planned summit traverse, a knot Chilvers had tied to join two 60-metre ropes became untied and detached from the anchor point, causing him to fall approximately 100 metres into a steep gully. He sustained massive non-survivable head, trunk and limb injuries. The coroner found the knot was an improper 'abnormal figure 8' that was poorly dressed with insufficient tail length. Chilvers had not tested the knot before beginning the descent, possibly due to distraction. The coroner ruled the death accidental and found no other person contributed. No recommendations were made.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Contributing factors
- Improperly tied 'abnormal figure 8' knot joining two 60-metre ropes
- Knot was poorly dressed and had insufficient tail length
- Failure to test the knot before commencing abseil (which deceased normally would have done)
- Possible distraction while tying the knot
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