Honeymooner takes step back photographing new bride, falls off 4,000ft mountain and survives

Fall: A honeymooner has become the first person known to have survived falling off the World's End mountain in Sri Lanka

A man on his honeymoon took a step back to photograph his new bride, fell off a 4,000ft mountain - and survived.


In doing so, the 35-year-old became the first person known to have survived a fall from the World's End mountain in Sri Lanka, a major tourist attraction.

His miracle escape happened because he was able to fell on top of a tree near the top - so he 'only' fell 130ft instead of the full 4,000.
Sri Lankan troops rescued the Dutchman, who has not been named, army spokesperson Brigadier Jayanath Jayaweera said.
"He was extremely lucky because he fell on top of a tree about 130 feet (40 metres) from the top," Jayaweera told AFP. "He is the first person to survive a fall from World's End."
Troops used ropes to reach the man and winch him to safety. Some 40 soldiers were involved in the initial rescue which was later backed by a military helicopter.
The man had to be evacuated from the area, however, on the shoulders of troops who carried him over a distance of 5km to the nearest point at which he could be driven to hospital.
"His condition is stable and he is out of danger," a police official said.
The World's End cliff is the main attraction at the Horton Plains nature reserve in central Sri Lanka and is a key tourist attraction.