NSW: Family resigned to fact no jail term to be served

AAP General News (Australia)
12-12-2001
NSW: Family resigned to fact no jail term to be served

The father of an Australian man killed in the Swiss canyoning tragedy says he's resigned
himself to the fact that those responsible won't serve time behind bars.

Six Swiss tour company staff have been found guilty of manslaughter over the deaths
of 14 Australians and seven others in the flash flood two-and-a-half years ago, but received
suspended sentences.

BRADLEY DEWAR, aged 30, of Boorowa near Yass, was among the victims of the tragedy
in the Swiss Alps town of Interlaken in July 1999.

His father, PETER, says the family is relieved at the guilty verdicts, but says the
punishments are merely token.

He says the past two years have been extremely difficult for the family, and they haven't
yet decided whether to pursue a civil suit.

Eighteen tourists, including 14 Australians, and three guides died when they were washed
away by a wall of water caused by a storm in the river's catchment area.

Judge THOMAS ZBINDEN has convicted six managers of the now defunct Adventure World
of manslaughter by culpable negligence for allowing the canyoning excursion to go ahead
despite the forecast storm.

They received suspended sentences of between three to five months and were fined.

AAP RTV sal/jjs/aa/rt

KEYWORD: SWISS RIVER NSW (SYDNEY)

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