In a landmark legal decision, the operators of Sydney Indoor Climbing Gym have been fined heavily following the tragic death of 28-year-old climber Andreas Stephano Progulakis Araya. The New South Wales District Court imposed individual fines of AUD 84,375 on two directors of Crestville Holdings, while the company itself was fined AUD 281,250, reflecting serious breaches in health and safety obligations.

The victim suffered fatal injuries in October 2021 when a 12-meter fall occurred due to an auto-belay system failure. Investigations revealed that the lanyard connecting his harness had snapped, and the device exhibited multiple signs of neglect—fraying, debris build-up, and a worn retracting mechanism. Further court findings highlighted gaps in the gym’s safety protocols: there were no structured daily inspections, regular factory servicing, or proper maintenance tracking systems. Staff were also inadequately trained to spot or respond to equipment issues.

Following the tragedy, the gym implemented sweeping reforms. All auto-belay systems were permanently removed, comprehensive safety protocols were adopted, and annual external audits were introduced. In her judgment, Judge Wendy Strathdee emphasized that the accident was avoidable and underscored the preventable nature of the failures.

The victim’s family conveyed their profound grief through a victim impact statement. “Losing a child is your worst nightmare,” said his mother, with his partner also testifying to enduring anxiety and PTSD following the tragedy.

This case sets an important precedent in Australian workplace safety law: it showcases the dire consequences of neglecting routine risk management—especially when public safety is involved.