Patricia Rabellizsa was trying to help a rider who was traveling at a high rate of speed on a zip line Thursday morning when a series of events occurred that led to her death.
Maui police released a summary Tuesday, saying her death was accidental.
Police said Rabellizsa was on a Piiholo Ranch zip line platform when the rider gliding into the line’s finish area struck springs that propelled the rider backward and off the platform.
Rabellizsa, 29, grabbed the rider in an effort to prevent the individual from traveling onto the zip line course. But "the momentum took them both back onto the line," police said.
According to witnesses, Rabellizsa was able to hang onto the rider for a few minutes before she lost her grip and fell 150 feet into a gulch.
Rabellizsa was not wearing a safety harness while on the zip line platform — a harness that could have saved her life, according to experts in the thrill-ride industry.
A Professional Ropes Course Association official said federal occupational safety standards require a worker on a high platform to wear a safety harness.
"Any time they’re up there and they can fall, they have to have some protection line attachment," said Michael Barker, the association’s vice president.
Barker said various associations, including his group, are developing zip line industry standards.
Rabellizsa was born in Kihei in South Maui and had moved back from California just a few months ago, a friend said.
State Rep. Angus McKelvey said Monday that he plans to introduce a bill and hold hearings about improving zip line worker safety and training.
In 2011 a Hawaii island zip line tower collapsed because of weak soil near a stream, sending Ted Callaway, 36, of Lahaina plunging to his death. Another worker was critically injured.
