Man Falls To His Death From Tram Ride Tower

A North Vancouver man fell to his death after climbing a tower of the Grouse Mountain Skyride and walking out on the ride’s cables, a North Shore Search and Rescue manager said.

Allan McMordie said he learned from police, who interviewed the man’s relatives, that Angelo Porchetta, 41, had climbed several Vancouver city buildings in the past.

Porchetta fell through trees before hitting the ground, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Constable Heidi Hoffman said. His body was discovered Wednesday.

Porchetta made two cell phone calls to friends at about 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sunday night claiming he had climbed to the top of a middle tower, McMordie said.

McMordie said no one heard from Porchetta after Sunday night, and a family member contacted police Tuesday afternoon.

There are three cables on the Skyride tramline, McMordie said. A person can hold on to two and walk along the other, making it possible to balance during a descent, he said.