Backpackers warned to take care when choosing an overseas tour operator

The brother of a British backpacker who fell to her death from a zipwire while on a trip with Raleigh International two years ago has warned backpackers and other holidaymakers to be careful when choosing a tour operator for overseas activities.

An inquest found that Sally Witcomb's death in Namibia was probably due to the fact that the wrong equipment was used by the South African instructor who was sub-contracted by Raleigh International to supervise the activity.

It was the first time Raleigh International had used the Out of Nature centre in Windhoek, which used outdoor-pursuits company MaST to run the zipwire course.

Speaking to The Times, Ms Witcomb's brother Gary said backpackers and their parents should 'take great care' when choosing a tour operator for similar activities.

He added: Parents have a right to expect organisations such as Raleigh International to apply the highest standards possible to the safety of their children, which in Sally's case they clearly didn't.""

Raleigh International (www.raleighinternational.org) has been running for 25 years, during which time it has taken 30,000 volunteers on expeditions.

The company claimed that it carried out three risk assessments of the Out of Nature centre prior to the fatal accident.

Seeking to reassure backpackers and parents that no such incidents would happen again, Raleigh International said:

""We have also recently undergone an independent audit of our operating procedures, which has concluded that they conform to the British Standard 8848, a new national standard for the safe management of overseas ventures.""

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