Top News

A 21-year-old student from Brazil tragically lost her life after plunging approximately 40 meters (130 feet) from a bridge during an unauthorized bungee jump in São Paulo. Reports indicate that the organizers failed to secure her safety cord. Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas was participating in the jump from the infamous "Skeleton Bridge" near Limeira when the accident occurred on Saturday, as per local media.

Footage circulating on social media seemingly captures the moment Rodrigues de Freitas was pushed off the bridge, with bystanders realizing that her bungee cord was not attached. A witness can be heard exclaiming, "Guys, the rope!" Sadly, Rodrigues de Freitas, who was pursuing a degree in physical education and sports management, was declared dead at the scene. Eyewitnesses reported that her fiancé was present during the incident.

Prior to the jump, she had shared a light-hearted post on Instagram, joking about the experience: "Who was the crazy person who let me jump off a bridge???" Following the tragedy, authorities detained six individuals connected to the bungee jumping company, with three facing charges related to her death. Reports indicate that two suspects attempted to escape but were later apprehended with the help of a helicopter.

In a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, Rodrigues de Freitas's mother, Valdenia Rodrigues, expressed her grief, stating, "That damned rope took you away from me forever. My beloved daughter, only today I wanted to hug you more than a thousand times. How it's hurting me your departure." She continued, "I love you forever, my princess. And thank you so much for being a part of my life during those 21 years. What an honor it was to hear you call me a mother. God, thank you for that privilege."

The bridge, known locally as "Skeleton Bridge," was initially constructed for a railway project that was never completed. Despite safety concerns, it has become a popular site for extreme sports. This location was also the site of a fatal incident in April 2024, when a cyclist lost their life after falling from the structure. In a statement on Sunday, Limeira's Mayor Murilo Felix raised concerns about the oversight of the site, emphasizing the need for accountability regarding safety measures. He stated, "In addition to the circumstances that led to the young woman's death, it is necessary to establish who is responsible for the lack of access control to a federal area which, for years, has posed known risks and is still without the necessary safety measures." Felix added that local authorities have been urging the federal government to take action, lamenting that their inaction has led to yet another tragedy in Limeira. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.