Daintree zip-line victim Dean Sanderson remembered as a 'loving husband' - ABC News

The family of the man who died while zip-lining in Far North Queensland has described him as a "loving husband, father, son, brother and friend to all".

Key points:

Dean Sanderson died in Far North Queensland yesterday while zip-lining
He was heavily involved in local football and was a life member of the Happy Valley Football Club
His family has thanked emergency services who responded to the incident

Dean Sanderson, 50, from the Adelaide suburb of Woodcroft, died after falling more than 10 metres at the Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours in the Daintree Rainforest, north of Cairns, yesterday.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

His 48-year-old wife, Shannon — who was in a separate harness but launched at the same time — also fell and is in a serious condition at Cairns Hospital.

A man and a woman holding a beer and a wine glass

"Our family is mourning the tragic loss of our husband, father and great friend Dean Sanderson after an accident at Cape Tribulation in Queensland yesterday," the statement said.

"His wife Shannon is currently in hospital recovering after also sustaining injuries in the accident.

"We would like to thank the Queensland Police, Queensland paramedics and the tremendous staff at the Cairns Hospital for their support.

"We remember Dean as a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend to all."

Mr Sanderson worked as an asset assurance consultant for South Australia's Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI).

"The department is saddened by the news of the tragedy. Our thoughts are with the Sanderson family," DPTI said in a statement.

Mr Sanderson was made a life member of the Happy Valley Football Club in 2016.

Club president Steve Greening said Mr Sanderson's death had "rocked" the club, where he had been a committee member, a coach, a football director and a sponsor.

He said Mr Sanderson was a "great club person" who was always, "the first guy to put his hand up to do anything around the club".

"Both Dean and Sharon Sanderson were long-serving life members of the Happy Valley Football Club and Dean will be sorely missed by many," Mr Greening said.