She Dreamed of Flying—But a Forgotten Safety Harness Led to a Devastating Outcome
With Arms Spread Wide, She Was Thrown Into the Air… What Happened Next Shocked Everyone
A 21-year-old woman died after being pushed off a 40-meter-high bridge during a bungee jumping activity without being secured by any safety equipment.
Three instructors involved in the incident have been arrested by police and are facing manslaughter charges.
The victim was identified as Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas, 21, from São Paulo state, Brazil. She had dreamed of becoming a physical education teacher.
The tragedy occurred on the afternoon of June 14 at Ponte do Esqueleto, an abandoned bridge in the town of Limeira, São Paulo state. The site is well known among tourists who enjoy extreme sports.
Freitas and her boyfriend had purchased a guided tour package that included a bungee jump. The activity cost $36 per jump, with an additional $30 fee for a camera to record the experience.
According to witness statements, Freitas requested to be launched in an “airplane” style jump, in which two instructors lifted her onto their shoulders while she stretched out her arms before throwing her off the bridge.
Investigator Andrea Levy said on June 15 that the three bungee instructors admitted Freitas had not been attached to a safety harness before the jump.
“They do not remember whether the safety harness was attached to her, who was responsible for securing it, or who performed the final safety check. But the fact is that the safety equipment was not attached to her,” Levy said.
A video circulating on social media shows two men wearing white helmets throwing Freitas from the 40-meter drop—roughly the height of a 13-story building—while another person can be heard shouting a reminder to secure the safety harness.
Police are continuing their investigation to determine the responsibility of each instructor involved in the fatal incident.