Oz tugs have mirrors .. .which the pilot watches closely to actually SEE the line drop away before doing things which would cause such frights.
Then again, that didn't always work in reverse .. had a Blanik (not quite) release (and not check the rope visually) ... a booming day .. and suddenly found myself inverted into a spin at around 500ft in the SuperCub. Both I and the glider instructor released much at the same time and the rope was lost although I confess to not having much concern about that at the time.
Almost damaged the tree leaves and branches during the recovery .. some constructive debriefing with the trainee pilot after he landed ...