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Published 09:28 15 Jun 2026 GMT
New details have emerged following the death of a 21-year-old woman who was killed during a rope-jumping activity in Brazil after staff allegedly failed to secure her safety rope before launching her from a bridge.
Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas, from Jandira, died on Saturday at the popular Ponte do Esqueleto, or "Skeleton Bridge," in Limeira, São Paulo. The young woman had reportedly been excited about the jump and shared posts on social media just hours before the fatal accident.
Video footage that has since circulated online shows two workers carrying de Freitas in a Superman-style position before releasing her from the 40-metre bridge. Moments later, panic broke out as voices could be heard shouting: "The rope, people, the rope!"
Authorities say de Freitas suffered multiple fractures in the fall and was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders.
Three instructors — Luis Felipe Feliciano Egoroff, 32, Vitor de Freitas Gonçalves, 27, and Maicon Fernandes Cintra, 42 — have since been charged with homicide with implied malice. Following a custody hearing on Sunday, all three men were ordered to remain in preventive detention.
Unlike traditional bungee jumping, which uses an elastic cord that causes participants to rebound, rope jumping relies on a climbing-style rope designed to stop the fall in a controlled manner before swinging the participant like a pendulum.
According to Brazilian outlet G1, investigators questioned the three instructors about how the fatal mistake occurred. Police reported that the men appeared confused and could not explain why de Freitas' rope had not been attached before the jump.
They were also unable to clarify who was responsible for securing the equipment or why a final safety inspection was not carried out.
During court proceedings, Egoroff denied attempting to flee after the incident. He explained that he had changed clothes because they had become wet and dirty.
"My shirt was already wet. It was very dirty. I went to the car and put on a clean one," he told the court, adding: "We're here. Nobody ran."
Cintra also denied trying to escape and said he could not remember exactly what happened during de Freitas' jump.
"Usually it's [Egoroff] who puts on the rope," he said. "In 99 per cent of cases … and I assist with the operation. I participate in the check, I call the person, I check the helmet. But in her case, I don't remember."
However, police presented a different version of events. Officers claimed that after one policeman left briefly to coordinate rescue efforts, the instructors moved toward a nearby wooded area and were later located with help from additional patrol units and an aircraft.
Judge Paulo Henrique Stahlberg Natal ordered the continued detention of the three men, citing several aggravating factors. These included alleged gross negligence during a high-risk commercial activity, the failure to use critical safety equipment, and what authorities described as efforts to interfere with the investigation.
The judge also warned that releasing the suspects could result in "the repetition of equally dangerous conduct."
São Paulo police chief Andréa Dantas Levy noted that Skeleton Bridge has been associated with previous tragedies, including suicides, failed jumps, and the death of a cyclist who fell while taking a selfie. However, she said the circumstances surrounding de Freitas' death were unlike any previous incident at the site.
The company operating the jumps had reportedly been charging 180 Brazilian reais (approximately $50) per participant and had several future events planned, including another jump day scheduled for July 11.
De Freitas, who held a degree in physical education and sports management, often shared content about nature and outdoor adventures online.
In a heartbreaking final post made shortly before the jump, she uploaded a photo of the company's banner and joked: "Who was the crazy person who let me jump off a bridge?"
Published 08:59 14 Jun 2026 GMT
Warning: This article may contain some distressing information.
A 21-year-old Brazilian woman tragically died after she was allegedly thrown from a bridge swing without being connected to a safety rope.
Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas, 21, was taking part in a thrill-seeking activity at Ponte do Esqueleto, also known as Skeleton Bridge, in Limeira, São Paulo, on Saturday (June 13) morning.
Disturbing footage shared online shows Maria being carried by two workers in a Superman-style pose before being launched from the bridge.
Moments later, voices can be heard shouting: "The rope, people, the rope," The Sun reported.
According to witnesses and information provided by Military Police, staff allegedly failed to connect the safety equipment to Maria's harness before she was released.
She fell more than 131 feet to the ground while horrified employees looked on.
Just hours before the accident, the woman, who was from nearby Jandira, shared her excitement about the jump on social media.
In a series of posts, she documented her arrival at the attraction, shared pictures of her identification bracelets, and even posted images of company representatives involved in the event.
In one heartbreaking post alongside a photo of the company banner "Entre Cordas", she wrote: "Who was the crazy person who let me jump off a bridge?"
Maria held a degree in physical education and sports management and was a supporter of Santos Football Club, per News.com.au.
Firefighters, paramedics, and emergency responders rushed to the scene, but Maria was pronounced dead.
Her body was later transferred to the Legal Medical Institute as authorities launched an investigation, per The Mirror.
According to reports, her fiancé was also present at the bridge and required medical attention after becoming ill when he learned she had died.
Police have revealed that six people were arrested at the scene following the incident.
In addition to this, the Limeira City Council confirmed it will file a complaint against the Brazilian federal government.
"It is necessary to determine responsibility for the lack of access control to a federal area that has presented known risks for years and still lacks the necessary protection measures," said Limeira mayor Murilo Félix.
Following Maria's death, future events at the same location were still being advertised online.
The company had been charging R$180 ($35.42) per jump and had upcoming dates listed for Ponte do Esqueleto, including an event scheduled for July 11.
Additional activities were also advertised in Rio Claro and Minas Gerais, with prices ranging from R$210 to R$250.
Published 12:50 14 Jun 2026 GMT
A Brazilian city is planning to take legal action over safety concerns at a popular bridge attraction after a 21-year-old woman was allegedly launched from a rope jump platform without a safety rope attached.
Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas died on Saturday morning after falling from a height of around 40 meters from Ponte do Esqueleto, known as Skeleton Bridge, in Limeira, São Paulo.
According to Military Police and witness accounts, employees operating the attraction may have forgotten to secure the rope before Maria was pushed from the platform.
Disturbing footage circulating on social media reportedly captured the horrifying moments before and after the jump.
In the video, the young woman is seen being escorted toward the structure by staff members before being launched from the platform. Seconds later, panic erupts among those present.
Per reports, witnesses heard people urgently yelling: "The rope, people, the rope," cited by The Sun.
Emergency crews from the Fire Department and Mobile Emergency Care Service (SAMU) rushed to the scene, but Maria was pronounced dead.
Hours before the tragedy, Maria documented her visit to the attraction on social media.
The 21-year-old, from Jandira in São Paulo state, shared photos of the bridge, identification wristbands for the activity, and images of company staff carrying out jumps using proper safety equipment.
One Instagram story featured a banner belonging to the company operating at the site.
Alongside the image, she wrote: "Who was the crazy person who let me jump off a bridge???"
Maria's fiancé was reportedly at the bridge when the accident happened and required medical assistance after learning of her death.
Police said six people were arrested following the incident as investigators worked to determine exactly how the alleged safety failure occurred.
Police also confirmed that two men fled the scene immediately after the accident and were later located in a wooded area with assistance from the Águia police helicopter, Bored Panda reported.
Three people reportedly remained in custody as the investigation continued.
The case has since been transferred to the 2nd Police District of Limeira.
The men seen in videos from the scene appeared to be wearing shirts associated with the companies Entre Cordas and Ih Voei.
At the time of reporting, neither company had publicly commented on the incident.
Following the tragedy, Limeira City Hall announced plans to sue the Federal Government, arguing that officials had failed to address long-standing safety concerns surrounding Ponte do Esqueleto.
According to city officials, responsibility for inspections, maintenance, and access control at the bridge falls under federal authorities.
The city claimed repeated requests for safety measures had gone unanswered. "No concrete action has been taken," the administration said.
Mayor Murilo Félix said the fatal accident had highlighted concerns that had existed for years.
"Unfortunately, the federal government's omission has just resulted in yet another tragedy in Limeira," he said.
He also added: "It is necessary to determine responsibility for the lack of access control to a federal area that has presented known risks for years and still lacks the necessary protection measures."
Officials say the investigation must not only determine how Maria was allegedly launched without a safety rope attached, but also whether enough had been done to prevent known dangers at the site.
Despite the fatal accident, future events at Ponte do Esqueleto were reportedly still being promoted online in the days that followed.
The attraction had been charging R$180 (around $35) per jump and had additional dates scheduled, including an event planned for July 11.
Published 11:23 14 Jun 2026 GMT
A 21-year-old woman tragically lost her life after allegedly being launched from a bridge swing attraction without being connected to a safety rope.
Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas was taking part in an extreme adventure activity at Ponte do Esqueleto, or Skeleton Bridge, in Limeira, São Paulo, on the morning of June 13.
Footage circulating online reportedly shows Maria being positioned in a Superman-style pose by two staff members before being released from the bridge. Seconds later, panic broke out.
According to a report by The Sun, voices can be heard urgently shouting: "The rope, people, the rope."
Witnesses and information provided by Military Police suggest that employees may have failed to attach the safety line to Maria's harness before she was sent off the platform, before she fell over 100 feet to her death, while workers watched helplessly.
Just before the fatal incident, Maria had shared her excitement about the experience on social media.
The 21-year-old, who was from the nearby city of Jandira, posted updates documenting her arrival at the attraction, including photos of her access wristbands and images connected to the event organizers.
In a post that has since taken on heartbreaking significance, Maria shared a photo featuring the banner of the company "Entre Cordas" and jokingly wrote: "Who was the crazy person who let me jump off a bridge?"
According to reports, Maria held a degree in physical education and sports management and was a dedicated supporter of Santos Football Club.
Emergency crews, including firefighters and paramedics, rushed to the scene following the accident, but despite their efforts, Maria was pronounced dead.
Her body was later transferred to the Legal Medical Institute as authorities began investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Reports indicate that Maria's fiancé was present at the bridge when the accident occurred. He reportedly became ill after learning of her death and required medical assistance.
Police confirmed that six people were arrested at the scene as part of the ongoing investigation.
The tragedy has also sparked concerns about safety measures at the location.
Limeira City Council announced plans to file a complaint with Brazil's federal government over what officials describe as longstanding safety concerns in the area.
Mayor Murilo Félix said: "It is necessary to determine responsibility for the lack of access control to a federal area that has presented known risks for years and still lacks the necessary protection measures."
Despite the fatal accident, future events at Ponte do Esqueleto were reportedly still being promoted online in the days afterward.
The attraction had been charging R$180 (approximately $35) per jump and had additional dates scheduled, including an event planned for July 11.
The company was also advertising similar activities in Rio Claro and Minas Gerais, with participation fees ranging between R$210 and R$250.
Authorities continue to investigate how the alleged safety failure occurred and who may ultimately be held responsible.
Published 09:25 14 Jun 2026 GMT
Warning: This article may contain some distressing information.
A heartbreaking social media post shared by a woman just hours before her death has taken on a haunting new meaning after a fatal bridge jump accident in Brazil.
As previously reported, Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas, 21, tragically passed away on Saturday morning after she was allegedly launched from a bridge without being connected to a safety rope.
The tragedy, which took place at Ponte do Esqueleto, also known as Skeleton Bridge, in Limeira, São Paulo, has sparked an investigation and led to multiple arrests. Still, many have been left focused on a message Maria posted shortly before the accident.
Before taking part in the activity, the late woman documented her day on social media, sharing photos from the site and showing followers the identification bracelets she had received for the jump.
She also posted pictures of company representatives involved in the event.
In one post alongside a photo of a company banner for Entre Cordas, Maria wrote: "Who was the crazy person who let me jump off a bridge?" The Sun reported.
Disturbing footage shared online appears to show Maria, who was from nearby Jandira, being carried toward the edge of the bridge by two staff members in a Superman-style pose.
According to witnesses and information provided by Military Police, a safety rope had allegedly not been attached to her harness before she was released.
Moments after she was launched from the bridge, voices can be heard shouting: "The rope, people, the rope."
Maria fell more than 131 feet to the ground while horrified staff looked on.
Emergency responders, firefighters, and paramedics rushed to the scene, but she was pronounced dead.
According to reports, her fiancé was also present and required medical attention after becoming ill upon learning she had died.
Military Police said Maria was participating in an activity organized by a private company when the accident occurred.
Six people were arrested at the scene following the tragedy.
The Civil Police have since launched an investigation and will determine whether to bring criminal charges against anyone involved.
Limeira City Council has also announced plans to file a complaint against the Brazilian federal government.
"It is necessary to determine responsibility for the lack of access control to a federal area that has presented known risks for years and still lacks the necessary protection measures," said Mayor Murilo Félix, per The Mirror.
Our thoughts are with Maria's loved ones at this time.
Published 15:05 14 Jun 2026 GMT
The Brazilian bungee death has drawn chilling comparisons to a similar tragedy in Spain ten years earlier, with both cases involving alleged safety failures before the jump.
In each incident, investigators say that the bungee equipment was not properly secured before the women fell to their deaths.
Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas, 21, died on Saturday after falling around 40 meters from Ponte do Esqueleto, also known as Skeleton Bridge, in Limeira, São Paulo.
Police and witness accounts, as well as footage on social media, suggest staff may have forgotten to attach the safety rope before she was launched from the platform.
Witnesses reportedly shouted, “The rope, people, the rope,” as panic erupted at the scene. Emergency crews rushed to the bridge, but Maria was pronounced dead.
Just before the tragedy, Maria had posted about the attraction on social media. She shared images of the bridge and wrote: “Who was the crazy person who let me jump off a bridge???”
The case has now prompted legal action from Limeira City Hall, which says long-standing safety concerns at the site were ignored.
Officials say they want answers over how the alleged failure happened, and whether enough was done to prevent a fatal accident.
The Brazilian tragedy has also further revived attention on a similar case in Spain, where 23-year-old Londoner Kleyo De Abreu died while bungee jumping from the Tablate Bridge in Lanjaron, Granada, over ten years ago.
According to BBC News, two people were later charged with manslaughter after investigators concluded there had been a communication failure between staff and Miss De Abreu, who jumped before the equipment had been made safe, according to reports.
Police found that one supervisor had been responsible for monitoring 14 participants, which was deemed “not enough” to guarantee safety.
The monitor’s role was to secure the ropes and harness before giving the signal to jump, but after attaching the harness and moving away to tighten the ropes, there was believed to have been a “lack of communication or understanding.”
The police report said: “This jump, performed before the ropes were properly tensioned...could be the cause of the accident.”
Investigators also concluded that the monitor “did not execute their function with due care and precautions.”
In the Spanish case, De Abreu is believed to have struck the lower bridge beneath the jump platform, causing fatal injuries. Her father, Bernard Atwell, described her as “sweet, caring, bubbly, and focused.”
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