A 21-year-old model tragically died after being thrown from a bridge without a bungee cord during a jump in Limeira, São Paulo, Brazil. Footage shows the woman falling 130ft at the popular bungee jumping spot, Ponte do Esqueleto, an abandoned railway bridge.
Witnesses in Horror
Horrified onlookers can be heard shouting, 'the rope people, the rope,' as the victim, identified locally as Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas, plummeted. Videos show workers carrying her horizontally in a 'Superman' pose, apparently unaware she was not connected to the main rope. After the fall, instructors look down as the camera reveals the safety line still on the platform.
Emergency Response and Arrests
Firefighters and paramedics rushed to the scene, but she was pronounced dead. Brazilian media report that two individuals attempted to flee into nearby woodland but were captured by a police helicopter. Six people were taken to Limeira's 2nd Police District, with three men reportedly arrested.
Social Media Excitement Before Tragedy
Ms Rodrigues de Freitas had posted on social media before the trip, expressing excitement about the jump and sharing pictures of the venue. 'Who was the crazy person who let me jump off a bridge?' she wrote alongside an Entre Cordas banner. The jump involved operators Entre Cordas and Ih Voei. Local media noted staff at the scene wore shirts bearing both brands. Entre Cordas's Instagram page, which advertised 'a jump to the extraordinary,' was reportedly taken down after the incident.
Police Investigation
Police are investigating whether negligence caused Ms Rodrigues de Freitas's death. The incident raises serious safety concerns about bungee jumping operations.
