British tourist hospitalized after falling from Vietnam’s ‘death rock’ after being hit by falling rock while taking photo

A British tourist has been hospitalized after he climbed a rock face and fell while taking a selfie in Vietnam.

On March 17, the man climbed the rock face that locals call the “cliff of death” in Xeo Sa Lung Village, Pai Lung Township, Meo Vac District.

While taking a selfie in front of the scenic view, he was hit by a rock that fell from above, causing him to fall and seriously injuring his left leg.

Pai Lung responders arrived at the scene and administered first aid. He was then taken by ambulance to Ha Giang General Hospital.

Hospital officials said his condition was quite serious, with his left leg crushed and his calf injured.

Medics applied bandages and splints to stop the bleeding and relieved the patient before taking him to a major hospital in Hanoi.

Officials say the Stone of Death, located along the popular Ma Pi Leng Pass, is dangerous with many large, unstable rocks stacked on top of each other.

Tourists often climb the cliff to take photos atop a rock formation overlooking the spectacular view, despite the lack of safety rails and the often slippery conditions.

There are reportedly several signs warning tourists not to climb the rock face, as well as fences blocking access to the area, which officials say are often ignored.

In January 2021, a tourist slipped and fell off the Death Cliff while taking pictures, landing in a crevasse and sustaining injuries.

At the time of reporting, the man’s name and age were withheld.

The rock face that locals call the “cliff of death”. While taking a selfie in front of the scenic view, the British tourist was hit by a falling rock, causing him to fall and injure his leg

In December last year, an Irish tourist fell to his death after leaning out of a moving train to take pictures in Thailand, police said. It was on a railway line known as the “Death Railway” connecting Thailand and Burma.

The man has been identified as 45-year-old Patrick Ward, a native of New Zealand, but also an Irish citizen.

Police Major Kiatisak Kerdchok of the Sai Yok Police Department said when the train slowed at a scenic point, Ward opened a door in the car and fell seven to eight meters down a slope, according to witnesses.

Rescue workers and emergency workers rushed to the place where he fell. Unable to access the area he was lying in, they had to assemble a pulley system to lower themselves.

Thai police said when rescuers managed to reach him, Mr Ward was barely breathing and his arm and neck were broken.

Rescue workers tried for half an hour to revive him, but could not save him.