An Australian tourist spent her final terrifying moments clinging to a sheer rock face 80 metres above the ground after falling while visiting a famous Bali landmark. She later fell again, this time fatally.
Brianna Cronin, a 29-year-old ecologist, died on Saturday morning after falling at Kelingking Beach on Nusa Penida, an Indonesian island near Bali.
The dramatic rock formation, shaped like the head of a giant Tyrannosaurus rex, is among Bali’s best-known attractions and draws thousands of visitors seeking adventure each year.
The University of Queensland graduate was walking along the landmark’s notoriously steep, narrow path on Saturday when she slipped on loose rock and became stranded on the southern side of the cliff.
Another tourist spotted Ms Cronin on rocks below the track. She was unable to climb back to the path and was too far above the beach to make her way down safely.
It remains unclear whether she was injured in the initial fall. The tourist alerted a local lifeguard, who monitors the rugged and dangerous beach below, at about 7.45am.
As a rescue plan was being organised, Ms Cronin fell a second time while waiting for help. She landed on the sand at Kelingking Beach and died at the scene from multiple fractures sustained in the fall down the rocky cliff.
Visitors have previously described the cliffside path as a “death trap” and an “accident waiting to happen”.
Brianna Lani Cronin (pictured) died on Saturday on Indonesia’s Nusa Penida island.
Emergency crews gathered on the beach after the fatal fall.
Another tourist saw Ms Cronin stranded on the cliff face before she fell again and landed on the beach.
“Yes, the views are incredible, but the attraction is downright dangerous and irresponsibly managed,” one visitor wrote on Tripadvisor in 2019.
‘At least half of the ‘path’ is sheer, vertical drops, requiring climbing, hanging, and holding on to broken side rails made literally of sticks and bamboo.
‘Should you twist your ankle or break something you’d be in serious trouble, let alone how easy it would be to tumble through the ‘side rails’ and drop straight down the side of a cliff.
‘Beautiful as it is, this attraction is going to make headlines for all the wrong reasons if responsible action is not taken soon.’
Another traveller in video posted to TikTok in 2024, issued a stark warning to anyone considering attempting the descent at Nusa Penida’s famous beaches.
‘My number one tip for Diamond Beach, Nusa Penida, is do NOT do the climb down!’ she wrote.
‘There have been numerous deaths over the years. The last part is actually so hard to get onto the beach that after climbing down for 40 minutes we had to turn around and climb back up.’
Local authorities had in recent years constructed the metal framework for a large elevator between the top of the cliff and beach, however construction was called off in 2025 following concern over the impact to nature and increased tourist numbers.
An aerial view of Kelingking Beach and the surrounding ‘T-rex’ cliffs
Rescuers had to carry Ms Cronin’s body up the notoriously dangerous stairs
A large lift was built between the clifftop and sand to safely carry visitors down but construction was called off and it has been largely dismantled since
The base of the abandoned lift is seen in the background as emergency crews and tourists carry Ms Cronin’s body back up the treacherous track
It is not the first fatal fall at the site which is infamous for it’s dangerous hike tot eh beach
Rescuers on Saturday spent about 90 minutes carrying Ms Cronin’s body back up the cliff to an awaiting ambulance.
An earlier attempt to remove her body by boat had to be abandoned due to large and dangerous swells.
She was later taken to Griya Penida Medical Clinic, where authorities officially confirmed her death.
The rescue operation involved the Search-and-rescue Agency, the Indonesian Navy, police, lifeguards and local residents.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is assisting Ms Cronin’s family.
‘We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time,’ a spokesperson said.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli on Sunday said he was heartbroken for those who knew Ms Cronin.
‘A young woman on the trip of a lifetime, active and enjoying herself, and to have her life taken away in a heartbeat like that is incredibly sad,’ he said.
Ms Cronin’s body will be repatriated to Australia.
