Headmaster falls to death saving son

Chris Majewsk

Christopher Majewski, who died trying to save his son in a school holiday tragedy, with his wife, Helen.
Source: PerthNow




A PRIMARY school principal has fallen 14m to his death after trying to save his young son’s life in a school holiday tragedy.


Christopher Majewski, 31, was well regarded in the small outback town of Leinster, 370km north of Kalgoorlie.

When his seven-year-old son tripped on a bush track and fell down a steep embankment at Fortescue Falls, Mr Majewski instinctively reached out to grab hold of him, but lost his footing.

The boy, whose name has not been released, was in a critical condition at Perth’s Princess Margaret Hospital last night with head injuries.

His devastated mother made the 1000km flight with him in a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane from Paraburdoo to Perth, touching down at 1am yesterday.

The family of five were spending the holidays in the Pilbara park when the accident occurred about 1.15pm on Tuesday.

They had been walking down the long track in Dales Gorge towards the bottom of Fortescue Falls when Mr Majewski and his son fell.

“It’s a magic part of the world but a tragic way for the school holidays to start,” Pilbara district office police inspector Peter Morrissey said.

“It does appear that the boy has tripped and the dad has tried to grab hold of him as he tripped. It’s resulted in both of them falling over the edge.”

A park ranger called police and passers-by rushed to help.

“I know some of the first aid was administered by rangers, but there may have been some off-duty medical people there; a doctor and a nurse who also assisted with administering first-aid,” Inspector Morrissey said.

Despite their efforts, they could not revive Mr Majewski and he died at the scene.

His son was taken to Tom Price Hospital 80km away and then on to Paraburdoo.

The Department of Environment and Conservation has closed the gorge, including Fortescue Falls and other popular tourist areas.

Department of Education director-general Sharyn O’Neill extended condolences to Mr Majewski’s family.

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