Gap risk-takers astound rescue group

An image sent to theAlbany Advertiser that shows a group of people, including a small child and a baby, standing on an unprotected section of The Gap has astounded Albany Sea Rescue operations co-ordinator Chris Johns.

Despite repeated warnings from authorities, visitors continue to ignore the warning signs and deadly dangers of the treacherous coast at the popular beauty spot.

Mr Johns said it’s an unnecessary risk being taken considering the new $6.6 million upgrade which was opened in April.

“It astounds us that people still do this, despite all the warnings,” he said.

“Eventually someone goes in —personally, I wouldn’t risk my family like that,”

Mr Johns said it was frustrating for his organisation

“It’s just frustrating from our point of view because these acts are the ones that we have to respond too,”

Albany woman Clancy Martin said she could barely watch the group as they walked along the unprotected section of the major tourist attraction.

“It was extremely hard to watch as one woman carried a baby in her arms while in high-heeled boots just to get photo on the edge of the rock,” she said

“Myself and several others couldn’t help being concerned of the groups of tourists and even locals walking, standing and sitting with their legs dangling over the cliff face,”

Ms Martin is hopeful something can be done to try to warn people of the danger involved.

“It would be great if something could be done to discourage people’s temptation to walk the unmarked path up the opposite side,” she said

“I feel like you can’t rely on people’s common sense regarding safety and the unpredictable danger of our coastline.

“I just hope a tragic fatality isn’t the trigger for action regarding the issue,”