A 21-year-old woman died in Limeira, São Paulo state, Brazil, after being launched from a bridge for a bungee jump without the safety cord being attached to her.
Incident Summary
The victim, identified by Brazilian media as Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas, was participating in a bungee jumping activity at the Skeleton Bridge (Ponte do Esqueleto) on Saturday. The bridge is described as abandoned and approximately 40 meters high.
According to reports, three instructors lifted Ms. Rodrigues de Freitas and carried her to the edge of the bridge before launching her off. Video footage shows two instructors, wearing harnesses, releasing her in an airplane-style maneuver. Witnesses reported hearing shouts that the rope was not attached. The bungee cord remained on the bridge after she fell.
Emergency services arrived at the scene, but she was pronounced dead at the location. Her body was taken to the Legal Medical Institute.
"Witnesses reported hearing shouts that the rope was not attached. The bungee cord remained on the bridge after she fell."
Nature of the Activity
Sources differ on the specific terminology for the activity. One source describes it as a rope jump, an extreme sport using a low-stretch climbing rope that produces a horizontal pendulum swing. Another source uses the term bungee jump, which typically involves elastic cords for vertical bouncing.
Investigation and Legal Response
Local authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. Police stated that the safety equipment was not properly secured at the time of the jump.
Three men employed by the company that organized the jump were arrested at the scene. Two others allegedly attempted to flee, bringing the total number of people arrested to six. They were arrested on suspicion of homicide with dolus eventualis, a legal concept meaning they were aware of the risk of death but proceeded with the action. Officials are investigating and may consider murder charges.
An Instagram account for the operating company and a related WhatsApp group have been deleted.
The city hall of Limeira stated it plans to sue the federal government, claiming the bridge is under federal responsibility and that it had warned for months about the risks of public access to the structure.