After fearing that they would both lose weight, a California man died after he sacrificed himself to save his wife on a zipline.
Joaquin Romero, 34, was working at La Jolla Zip Zoom Zipline on the La Jolla Indian Reservation in the Pauma Valley in California on Saturday when a woman slide out on the line while he was helping her get hooked on the platform.
Romero allegedly grabbed her harness to stop her, and was then dragged off the platform.
Joaquin Romero (34), took the life of himself after a woman he was securing to a zipline pulled out. He and his wife, Joaquin, were taken with them on Saturday. Romero was holding them 100 feet above ground when he decided to let go, fearing that they would both die from extra weight (pictured at La Jolla zipline).
Cal Fire rescued Romero by using a low-angle rope system to pull him to the roadside before airlifting him to Sharp Memorial Hospital, where he died on Monday
Fox 8 reported that the pair dangled approximately 100 feet above the ground.
Romero’s friend, who did not identify himself, said that the 34-year old feared that he would be unable to carry the extra weight with the woman, so he decided he would let go.
The zipline can hold up 250 pounds with a minimum weight of 65 pounds.
Romero fell 100 feet and sustained major trauma injuries. Cal Fire rescued him by low-angle rope system to pull him to the roadside.
He was then airlifted to Sharp Memorial Hospital, where he died Monday morning.
Sharp Memorial Hospital (pictured), where his death occurred on Monday, was where he was buried.
According to reports, the woman was uninjured.
La Jolla Zip Zoom Zipline stated that they are ‘heartbroken’ by the loss of their employee. They are now conducting an ‘in depth and comprehensive investigation, in coordination with federal and state authorities.
A total of 16 people are killed each year by ziplines.
There are three ziplines in La Jolla. They span 300-700 feet and can reach speeds of up to 55mph.
The La Jolla Tribe first opened its campground in 30. Its newest attraction is La Jolla’s zipline, which was opened in September 2015.
Romero’s brother Rick and Rhonda, his wife, are hosting a grab and go fish taco fundraiser to benefit the family.
Naomi Howard, a family friend, posted on Facebook that the fundraiser was to help the family cope with the recent loss Joaquin Romero’s brother Rick. A plate costs $5, with the option to donate more.