Bungee jump goes fatally wrong in Brazil as rope not secured, woman, 21, plunges 40 metres
A 21-year-old woman fell 40 metres to her death from a bridge in Limeira, São Paulo, after the organisers failed to attach the safety rope. Six people have been arrested as authorities investigate the incident.
The fatal jump
On Saturday morning, Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas arrived at the Ponte do Esqueleto, a disused 40-metre-high bridge in Limeira that is popular for rope jumping. She was preparing for a bungee jump organised by a local extreme-sports company when, according to police accounts, the staff neglected to connect her harness to the safety line. Video captured at the scene shows the 21-year-old being led onto the platform before she falls into the void. Bystanders can be heard shouting “The rope!” and “Guys, the rope!” moments after she went over the edge.
Emergency services, including firefighters and paramedics, rushed to the site. Witnesses attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation, but the woman had sustained multiple injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Victim and witness accounts
The deceased, Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas, was a 21-year-old resident of the region. Her fiancé was present at the bridge when she fell. He suffered severe shock and required medical attention; he was taken to hospital and remains under observation.
The incident was recorded and the distressing footage quickly spread on social media. Users posted warnings before sharing the video, and many expressed outrage over the apparent negligence. The bridge, known as the Ponte do Esqueleto, is a well-known spot for rope jumping despite being officially closed.
Arrests and investigation
Immediately after the tragedy, two individuals linked to the organisation fled the scene, disappearing into a nearby wooded area. Police launched a search involving a helicopter and soon located the pair. In total, six people have been arrested and are being questioned about the circumstances that led to the death. The case has been assigned to the Limeira Police Department, which is examining whether criminal charges of negligence apply.
Reports indicate that the company involved deleted all its social-media accounts shortly after the accident. Investigators are working to establish who was responsible for the final safety check and whether the required protocols were followed.
Calls for stricter safety rules
The death has prompted strong reactions across Brazil, with many calling for tighter regulation of companies that offer extreme sports activities. While bungee jumping and rope jumping are popular attractions, this incident has renewed debate about oversight and liability. Local media note that the bridge, though unauthorised, had long been used for such jumps without any formal supervision.
