The man is an abscailer(person who climbs steeps and cliffs). 
His saftey rope got tangled on a small jutting branch on the cliff.
this cliff over looks the sea. when he tried to free himself it gave way
and he instantly plummeted towards the ground.
since the rope was tangled on the branch. it fell right beside him.

we told you to think different didn't we!!

- Anil Damodaran and Pradeep Vasudevan.