Abseiling teacher plunges to his death into cave in front of horrified schoolkids as tributes pour in for ‘amazing’ dad

AN abseiling teacher plunged to his death into a cave in front of horrified students.

Dad Marcello Silveira, 53, died on Thursday after slipping and falling into Brides Cave, in Western Australia.

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The “well respected” instructor was demonstrating an abseiling activity to a group of schoolkids when he made the fatal plunge at the cave site near Margaret River.

Emergency services were called to the scene at 3.20pm after it was reported that the instructor had fallen during an abseiling activity.

Mr Silveira tragically died at the scene.

Cops said several students were inside the cave at the time of the accident and had to watch the horror unfold.

A police spokesman said Mr Silveira was leading an excursion of 15 Year 11 students and two teachers at the Brides Cave site.

“A number of students and teachers had already abseiled down to the bottom of the cave area when the instructor fell,” the spokesman said.

First aid was provided by the school group before an air ambulance was scrambled to the scene.

“A lot of effort was put in place to try and revive him,” Sergeant Simone Taplin, from the Margaret River Police Station, said.

“That assistance didn’t work,” she said, adding the scene was “quite traumatic”.

Following the fatal accident, the students were guided out of the cave by other abseiling professionals before being put onto a bus where they were spoken to by a counsellor.

The instructor leaves behind a young family and had lived in the community for several years.

Margaret River Shire President Paula Cristoffanini paid tribute to the man – describing him as “much-loved”.

“Yesterday, we lost a much-loved local member of our community and I’d like to extend my condolences with the victim’s family, friends and all involved in this unfortunate event,” Ms Cristoffanini said.

“We are a close and resilient community here in Margaret River, and now is a time to support once another and all who knew this wonderful man. He will be greatly missed”.

Juerlaine Prideaux, a friend of Mr Silveira, has set up a GoFundMe page to help his widow Kate and their sons.

So far, well-wishers have donated almost £16,000.

Paying tribute, one person wrote: “My deepest condolences, a tragic loss of an amazing person, well respected within the outdoors world and helped us achieve many great things.”

Another said: “My heart is heavy tonight. Marcelo was such a bright light in the world.”

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

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