In brief
A 21‑year‑old Brazilian woman, Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas, fell 40 metres during a rope‑jumping attempt at the Skeleton Bridge, an abandoned structure near Limeira. The drop was made without a tied cable, and video of the incident went viral. Police arrested three men who were the instructors at the site, and investigators are probing whether they are liable for homicide by circumstance. Local officials argue that state and federal authorities have neglected maintenance of the bridge, a claim the city of Limeira is pursuing legal action to enforce. The incident underscores the dangers of extreme sports when safety protocols break down.
A 21‑year‑old rope‑jumper died in a tragic accident when her counters were not safely attached during a jump from the Skeleton Bridge in Ponte do Esqueleto, on the border of Limeira and Cordeirópolis in São Paulo state.
The incident was captured on video, showing three men in white helmets holding the 21‑year‑old by her arms and feet before she was released and fell approximately 40 metres (130 feet). An on‑looker's scream for the instructors to attach a safety cord was only met by the men’s failure to secure it.
Police have arrested the three instructors, and the case is under investigation for possible homicide by circumstance, where the perpetrators did not intend to kill but assumed the risk. Local news outlets, including Globo reports, are following developments closely.
The bridge, abandoned for years, falls under federal responsibility. The Secretariat of Federal Assets has offered aid to authorities, while the city hall of Limeira has announced a lawsuit against the federal government for inadequate site management.
Experts note that rope‑jumping differs from bungee jumping by using low‑stretch climbing ropes that redirect the fall into a pendulum swing, whereas bungee jumping relies on elastic rubber cords for a bouncing effect. The tragic accident raises questions about the regulation and oversight of extreme sports in Brazil.
Images from the incident illustrate the tense moment: an overhead view of the abandoned bridge and a diagram marking the 40‑metre drop, which were widely shared on social media.
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