Brittany Horn

The (Wilmington, Del.) News Journal

WILMINGTON, Del. — Tina Werner died completing her bucket list.

The 59-year-old Felton woman was standing on the fourth platform at Go Ape, an outdoor zip-lining adventure course in Lums Pond State Park, when she lost her footing Wednesday and fell about 35 feet to the ground below, Delaware State Police said.

Go Ape said in a statement Thursday that witnesses say she "unfortunately disconnected herself from the safety system" on the final platform. The company stressed that she received proper training on how to remain attached to the safety system.

Police have not said whether Werner was properly attached to the high-ropes adventure course, made up of "a series of zip lines, Tarzan swings, rope ladders, bridges, swings, and trapezes," according to Go Ape's website.

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It appears Go Ape is not regulated by any state inspector regarding safety guidelines or requirements and can operate solely on yearly inspections performed by a third party chosen by the company.

Assistant State Fire Marshal Michael Chionchio said because the zip lines rely on gravity rather than electric or mechanical functions, they don't fall under the state's jurisdiction or inspection requirements.

A 10-year contract between the state Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, which runs state parks, and Go Ape indicates that the company is required to have a course construction and maintenance inspection once a year by an external course constructor, as well as complete a yearly review with OSHA and the operations director and an annual review with the operations director and the site manager.

There are also required daily checks of equipment and course maintenance by instructors and the site manager, according to the contract.

Go Ape spokesman Jeff Davis said the company has never had major injuries at any of its 15 locations.

"Any injuries that guests have experienced have been minor and treatable," he said.

Werner's daughter, Melissa Slater, posted a photo on Facebook Wednesday night of her mother kissing her cheek on her wedding day. Though she declined to comment further Thursday, she expressed her grief over losing her mother.

"Today, about 3 hours ago, I was told that my mother has died," she wrote. "Full of love and adventure, I am thankful to be her daughter. My mom died completing her bucket list, zip lining in Newark."

She also asked for prayers for her family, writing that "this is truly the hardest situation that I have ever faced."

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Police say Werner was standing on a platform about 35 feet above the ground waiting to descend on a zip line, at which point she lost her footing and fell to the ground, Master Cpl. Jeffrey Hale said. She had completed three-quarters of the course and was on the fourth platform getting ready to zip line when she fell, he said.

She was with relatives at the attraction, he added.

Werner’s husband, Steve Werner, said completing the zip line was a dream of his wife's and that she was "doing well in checking things off of the list." His daughter broke the news to him about his wife's death, leaving him "crushed," he said.

“I describe her as having one of the biggest hearts in the world," Steve Werner said. "She would do anything for anyone. She’s going to be missed.”

The attraction was not open Thursday and has not announced plans for when it will reopen, according to spokesman Jeffrey A. Davis. The company said in a statement that a full safety inspection has already occurred and the course, has been cleared.

The company has multiple Go Ape sites throughout the country, including locations in Pittsburgh; Indianapolis; Rockville, Md.; and Williamsburg, Va. They stressed that more than 6 million people have completed Go Ape courses safely.

Numerous medical units, including a state police helicopter, were called to the state park near Kirkwood after her fall. Before they arrived, employees and park rangers attempted to save her life.

She was transported to Christiana Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Am autopsy will be performed by the Division of Forensic Science on Thursday.

Adventure-seekers receive a 30-minute training session before they are turned loose in the forest canopy. Go Ape confirmed Tina Werner did complete the safety training Wednesday.

Contributing: Jerry Smith, The New Journal