South Africa: US 14-year-old dies in fall while hiking down Cape Town’s Table Mountain
By APSunday, June 13, 2010
US teen dies in fall on SAfrica’s Table Mountain
CAPE TOWN, South Africa — A Texan teen fell to his death while hiking down Table Mountain, one of Cape Town’s main tourist attractions, South African police said Sunday.
Police spokesman Billy Jones said the 14-year-old, who was not identified, and his parents and a sibling had on Saturday taken the cable car to the top of the 3,563-foot (1,086-meter) landmark. They then walked down along a known route.
Along the way, the teen fell about 30 feet (10 meters), and died on the mountain.
“We have been in touch with the family throughout,” U.S. Consulate spokesman Nathan Holt said. “We provided assistance. We extend our deepest condolences to the family. We thank South African authorities for all their assistance.”
Two officials, who both requested anonymity, said the family is from Houston.
