Teen blamed for own death in Capilano fall

RCMP say a California teenager who plunged to his death from a lookout platform at the Capilano Suspension Bridge in North Vancouver had climbed over other railings at the tourist attraction before his deadly fall.

Police say after interviewing witnesses, they found no indication of foul play in the death of 17-year-old Daniel Cho on Sunday, and they believe Cho climbed over the barrier himself, despite earlier warnings not to.

"Cho went over the barrier on the lookout platform under his own power. In spite of the many warning signs and high barriers, Cho had earlier been seen going over similar barriers in a different location and had been warned to stop. Sadly, he did not," said Const. Michael McLauglin in a statement released on Wednesday afternoon.

But police say nobody actually saw Cho climb over the platform's 1.2-metre-high rail or how he fell, despite the number of tourists in the area.

"This may seem surprising, but the lookout platform is hidden from view by tall trees, shadow, and the steep terrain of the canyon. The video surveillance at the bridge does not show the crucial moment," said McLaughlin.

Now that criminal actions have been ruled out, police are passing along their findings to the BC Coroner's Office which is taking the lead in this investigation, he said.

Cho was in Vancouver as part of a school trip with other students from Aragon High School in San Mateo, in California's San Francisco Bay area.