Fed: Swiss canyoning disaster company to resume excursions

AAP General News (Australia)
04-10-2000
Fed: Swiss canyoning disaster company to resume excursions

The company which organised last year's ill-fated canyoning excursion in Switzerland
plans to resume its adventure trips in May.

This means the Swiss company Adventure World will conduct such tours before the outcome
of an official inquiry and despite objections from victims' families.

Swiss authorities are investigating 11 people involved with the organisation of the
trip on suspicion of negligent homicide.

Adventure World director GEORG HOEDLE says his company has installed the most sophisticated
early warning system for the sport anywhere in the world.

Mr HOEDLE has told ABC Radio the company will continue as long as it is certain that
its operations are safe.

However, he says he can't guarantee that accidents won't occur in the future, as no-one
can guarantee this in risk activities.

In last July's accident 21 young people were killed, including 14 Australians, when
the Saxeten River gorge was hit by a flash flood, dragging the adventurers under water.

GARY REDMOND,the father of one of the young Australians killed, says he is disgusted
at the company's decision.

AAP RTV eg/mfh/wz/rp 7

KEYWORD: SWISS RIVER AUST (CANBERRA)

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