Tamaroa man is killed in backyard zip-lining accident Sunday afternoon

A Tamaroa man has been killed in a backyard zip-lining accident, according to the Perry County Sheriff's Department.

The victim is identified as William "Bill" Harris, and the sheriff's department said he is age 38.

First responders were called to the 4811 Ski Road home of Ken Majewski southeast of Tamaroa at 5:15 p.m. Sunday on a report of a man falling about 30 feet.

Friends were apparently taking rides on the line.

A zip-line consists of a pulley suspended on a cable, mounted on an incline. It is designed to enable a user propelled by gravity to travel from the top to the bottom of the inclined cable by holding on to, or attaching to, the freely moving pulley.

It is a recreational hobby.

Harris apparently fell from the highest point of the line.

Pinckneyville Ambulance Service medics responded. His condition was grave and he was pronounced dead at Marshall Browning Hospital. The ambulance service put in a call for an ARCH medical evacuation helicopter to transport Harris from Marshall Browning Hospital to a St. Louis trauma center, but the call was cancelled.

Harris had been an Illinois Department of Corrections employee, but changed careers and became an Illinois Department of Transportation District 9 maintainer working from Pinckneyville's yard and shop south of Pinckneyville two years ago in March.

Sheriff Keith Kellerman said, "He was actually a friend of mine, a very great guy." That sentiment is widespread.