A zipline worker died after sacrificing himself to save a woman stranded on the line because he feared they'd both fall under the weight.
Joaquin Romero, 34, was trying to hook up a client to the wire but she prematurely slid out and along the line.
He grabbed her harness but was dragged from the safety of the platform and into the open air.
The pair were left dangling around 100ft off the ground during the terrifying incident at La Jolla Zip Zoom Zipline in Pauma Valley, California, Fox 8 News reports.
It was as they hung above the earth that Romero reportedly let go of the line because he feared it would not hold their combined weight.
The line could not hold over 250lb, or 17 stone, according to reports.
The worker plummeted 100ft and landed on the ground, where emergency services tried to treat his major trauma injuries.
California Fire used a low-angle rope system to pull him to the roadside where they could treat him.
He was rushed to hospital but despite doctors' best efforts, he died on Monday morning. The woman is said to have escaped without injury.
Joaquin's company said they were heartbroken over the loss of their employee.
They added that they are now involved in a "in-depth and comprehensive" investigation being conducted by federal and state cops.
It's estimated that around 16 people die each year on the popular thrill-seeking activity.
The firm had three ziplines for visitors to choose from, which could reach speeds of up to 55mph, and ranged from 300ft to 2,700ft tall .
They opened the La Jolla campground in 1930 and the zipline was its newest attraction, which opened in 2015.
Following his death, Joaquin's brother Rick and wife Rhonda's colleagues will host a fish taco fundraiser on Friday to help the family with costs.
"This fundraiser is to help the family out with the recent loss of Ricks brother Joaquin Romero,"Naomi Howard, a family friend, wrote on Facebook.
