Death of Australian David Burnett at Petra

Please believe me that I am feeling terrible for you. It must be an awful thing to see a friend die like this, and I am not trying to make things more difficult for you. I can understand that it is very hard for you to write about it.

But I heard that this accident happened close to the Treasury. While there are certainly many many dangerous places in Petra where extreme prudence is necessary, the area around the Treasury isn't one of them.

Any whyever did you need to climb scaffolding to visit a monument? Which monument was it?

I willingly believe that the authorities would cover up an accident in Petra, there hasn't been a word about it in the media, but I haven't heard an official line, just general gossip from the guides, which in general is reasonably correct.

I did not take this picture...

http://public.fotki.com/ykarelic4/jordan/petra/43img7042fs.html

I really do not have anymore to say on what happened.

I cannot understand that some people would even consider climbing that scaffolding. I would think it is obvious that this scaffolding is not meant for tourists, even in the absence of signs or fences.

This shouldn't be blamed on the park authorities and the lack of safety measures. See my second post in this thread...

No workers on this site would consider for one moment going up there without a safety harness. I agree that it is very obviously NOT a tourist access to the tomb itself, but a workman's tool for its restorers. One is expected to use a certain amount of intelligence in visiting any monument.

I think enough has been said though, and we must offer our sympathy to David's friend who has had the courage to post this link, even though it completely negates his original complaint.

This is in no way silly. And furthermore posting the link does not negate my complaint, there were other people we did not know waiting to climb up, and I would bet even today a tourist climbed up there. As I have said the only way this could get worse is if it happened again.

atxnewmexican I am very sorry for the loss of your friend David and my condolences to you and to David's family. We were in Petra this past week - and spent February 1st and 2nd there. I thoroughly, thoroughly agree with you about the safety of some of the spots we climbed to starting with The Monastery and then the next day a much steeper climb up to The High Sacrifice and perilous climb down to the Garden Tomb. Not a guardrail or rope in the place. Cannot imagine being a tourist here during the peak season when thousands visit each day. Although it is absolutely stunningly beautiful a bit more to be spent on safety would surely go a long way and hopefully could be done without damaging the beauty of this magnificent stone city. We saw only two signs warning of any danger in Petra and they said something to the effect that you should not wander off any of the paths on your own - both were in English. Sadly another tourist died there on the afternoon of February 2nd; an older man who fell three meters off the bridge near the Nympheum. That morning a horse died. About Robert Sette http://news.uk.msn.com/Article.aspx?cp-documentID=7439307 and http://www.individual.com/story.php?story=77286705

We were not warned that the rocks were to slippery to be climbing - by anyone - and knew that our days there required caution on our part. And again, not a single sign near any of the tombs and monuments - not one - warning of danger just two signs warning us not to wander off on our own.

Thanks to all of you who have highlighted the poor safety conditions at Petra. We shall be visiting there soon. What with the rampant animal cruelty and wanting safety conditions I'm feeling "weak" at the knees! I'm also really sorry about Australian Dave and the older American man. It's easy to judge people when you're not in the situation yourself ---- heartfelt condolences to those concerned.

Thanks to all who have highlighted the poor safety conditions at Petra. We shall be visiting soon and what with the rampant animal cruelty and wanting safety conditions I feel "weak" at the knees! There needs to be decent governmental legislation to rectify these evils! I'm also really sorry about Australian Dave and the older American man. My heartfelt condolences to all those concerned. Thanks again to those of you who have been honest in commenting on this.