Man falls down cliff after climbing safety fence

A man fell down a cliff in Taupo this morning after climbing a safety barrier while looking for his dog.

The 29-year-old Auckland man fell about four metres down the cliff on Lake Terrace at about 5.40am, Sergeant Fane Troy of Taupo police said.

After climbing over a fence to look for his dog he slipped and fell, coming to rest in bush on the cliff face.

He was rescued by the Taupo fire service and suffered only superficial cuts. He was reunited with his family and dog and they then continued on their journey, Mr Troy said.

But police urged people not to put themselves in danger by climbing over the fence and venturing close to the cliff top.

"The fence is there for a reasons, but a large number of people ignore the barrier and associated signage in the area," Mr Troy said.

In late 2002 Wellington man Greig Robert Warner, 22, fell to his death in a similar area.

Mr Warner had stepped over a low chain fence between a grass verge and the bank.

Following Mr Warner's death, a number of other people, many intoxicated, also fell over the bank.

Taupo District Council initially proposed building an aluminium security fence along a 140m stretch of lakefront but this was met by widespread negative reaction.

Instead it resolved to add extra chains to the existing fence and put in other security measures.

It also wanted to review liquor licensing activities to ensure bars and cafes were providing sufficient toilet facilities and encouraged police to crack down on illegal urinating in the area.

In reporting on Mr Warner's death, Taupo coroner Morna McFarlane highlighted the risks posed by the cliffs despite safety being improved along Lake Terrace.

Ms McFarlane said many of the lakefront falls involved young people and most had been drinking. She said urinating over a clifftop may seem a good idea but could cost lives.

- NZPA