A 21-year-old woman tragically died during a rope-jumping event in Brazil after instructors allegedly launched her from a bridge without attaching safety ropes.
A 21-year-old woman lost her life during a rope-jumping event near São Paulo, Brazil, after instructors reportedly failed to attach safety ropes before launching her from a bridge. Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas was participating in the extreme sport on Saturday when the incident occurred at an abandoned bridge approximately 90 miles northwest of the city.
According to police investigator Andrea Levy, the three instructors involved in the jump admitted that Rodrigues de Freitas was not connected to any safety equipment prior to her launch. “They do not remember whether they forgot to attach [the ropes], or who was supposed to do it, or who failed to check. But the fact is the ropes were not attached to her,” Levy stated during a press briefing.
Following the tragic event, the three instructors were arrested and may face criminal charges. Brazilian authorities are investigating the incident under the suspicion of homicide with “eventual intent,” a legal term that applies when an individual is considered to have accepted the risk of a fatal outcome. Reports indicate that the instructors were booked on this charge at the scene, as cited by The Associated Press.
Investigators revealed that Rodrigues de Freitas had requested to be launched from the bridge in an “airplane style,” where two instructors would lift her above their shoulders while she extended her arms. Video footage shared online appears to show the instructors tossing her from the bridge just moments before the fatal fall, while they were wearing harnesses connected to safety lines.
Authorities reported that Rodrigues de Freitas fell approximately 130 feet. Brazilian media outlets noted that she had purchased a guided hiking excursion that included the rope jump from the abandoned bridge.
Rope jumping is an extreme sport that differs from traditional bungee jumping. Instead of using elastic cords that create a vertical bounce, rope jumping employs low-stretch climbing ropes designed to transform a fall into a pendulum-like swing.
The City of Limeira, where Rodrigues de Freitas resided, expressed condolences to her family in a statement. “At this moment of pain, the City of Limeira stands in solidarity with the young woman’s family, friends, and loved ones,” municipal officials said on Saturday.
The city has pledged to cooperate with authorities in their investigation of the incident. Rodrigues de Freitas was laid to rest on Sunday.
Levy further informed the Brazilian television program “Jornal Nacional” that investigators are looking into whether the group conducting the jump had the proper authorization to operate at the site. Reports from G1 suggest that investigators believe a failure to verify the placement of the safety rope may have contributed to the tragic outcome.
In a statement reported by G1, attorneys representing the three instructors claimed their clients had experience conducting the activity and noted that this incident marked the first fatality during their years of operation.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this apparent safety failure, including determining who was responsible for ensuring that participants were properly secured before jumping. The investigation remains ongoing, as officials seek to uncover the details that led to this tragic event.
According to The Associated Press, the investigation is still in its early stages, and further developments are expected as authorities gather more information.