‘Santa’ climber killed in fall

A YOUNG man has died after falling from the Douai belfry while rehearsing for the annual Santa descent into the town.

The 24-year-old, Sébastien Delzenne from nearby Cuincy, was training with about 20 fellow members of a local climbing club for the spectacular descent on December 20 where Santa abseils down the facade of the mairie belltower in front of the Christmas crowd.

He was about a third of the way down the descent when he fell. He died instantly.

Investigators are checking his abseiling harness and rope to check if it malfunctioned as it is meant to prevent any fall. A post mortem will be held to check if he had fallen ill before the fall.

The climbers were rehearsing for next Sunday’s show in the Nord town and preparing a spectacle to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first belltower descent. Club members and the mayor are meeting today to decide if the event will go ahead.

Douai : un jeune homme s'entraîne à faire le père Noël et fait une chute mortelle https://t.co/bnCKf8e4MW pic.twitter.com/noHCZDAdGQ— Le Parisien (@le_Parisien) December 13, 2015