15/06/2026 21:23 - Internacionales
Puente metálico abandonado sobre un río con cables de seguridad en desuso, cielo dramático nublado al atardecer
A day meant for adrenaline and excitement ended in tragedy when a young Brazilian woman was thrown into the void without any safety attachment during an extreme sport activity. The accident, which occurred on Saturday, June 13, 2026, has left all of Brazil in shock.
María Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas, only 21 years old, lost her life at the Skeleton Bridge (Ponte do Esqueleto), located on the border between the cities of Limeira and Cordeirópolis, in the interior of São Paulo state, Brazil.
The young woman, who worked as an instructor at a gym and was studying Physical Education and Sports Management, had paid $25 for the jump plus an additional $30 to bring a GoPro camera to record the moment. The device was never found.
Rope jump is an extreme sport that uses low-elasticity climbing ropes, unlike bungee jumping which uses elastic cords. The fall transforms into a horizontal pendulum motion. It is considered more technical and requires rigorous safety protocols.
Note: This activity should not be confused with recreational rope jumping or skipping. It is a high-risk adventure sport practiced from bridges, cliffs, and other elevated structures.
According to the police report, a video captured by a witness waiting in line clearly shows that the victim was thrown without any type of protection. In the images shared on social media, two men can be seen holding Rodrigues by her arms, while a third holds her feet. When she is thrown, a witness desperately shouts: "Hey, the rope!".
Giovana Rodrigues, María Eduarda's mother, posted a moving message on her Instagram account saying goodbye to her daughter:
"That cursed rope took you from me forever. And here only pain and longing remain. My beloved daughter, today I only wanted to hug you a thousand times. How much your departure hurts me. I love you forever, my princess. Thank you so much for being part of my life for these 21 years. What an honor it was to hear you call me mom."
In another post, she added: "It is terrible to see a life full of dreams cut short by the irresponsibility and lack of professionalism of those who should have guaranteed it. What was supposed to be a moment of happiness becomes something that cannot go unpunished. Justice for you."
Police arrested three people linked to organizing the event:
| Name | Age | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Luis Felipe Feliciano Egoroff | 31 | Instructor/Organizer |
| Vitor de Freitas Gonçalves | 27 | Instructor/Organizer |
| Maicon Fernandes Cintra | 42 | Instructor/Organizer |
Judge Paulo Henrique Stahlberg Natal ordered preventive detention after determining that the accused attempted to flee: they changed clothes and abandoned the premises before police arrived. They also fled toward a wooded area when an officer separated to help with the rescue.
The justice system is investigating the case as intentional homicide with presumed treachery, as police found evidence that the accused assumed risk, even if involuntarily. The judge stated that "they did not adopt the minimum necessary and indispensable precautions" and that the death "was not a simple accident, but the consequence of having assumed the risk they voluntarily created and accepted to take."
Authorities verified that the activity lacked formal regulation. The group had no CNPJ (Brazilian tax identification number) or permit to operate. The bridge, abandoned for years, is owned by the federal government.
Luiz Del Vigna, director of the Brazilian Association of Ecotourism and Adventure Tourism Companies (Abeta), stated: "The problem is not lack of legislation, but lack of supervision. Public authorities have the obligation to verify if companies operating in the municipality are authorized."
The accused's lawyers argue their clients had extensive experience in extreme sports and this is the first death in their careers. They claimed they suffered a "blackout" moments before the jump and could not explain who was responsible for placing the rope and verifying safety.
The standard procedure required:
None of these steps were followed.
A nurse waiting in line to jump recorded the moment with her phone. According to police, the video "shows unequivocally that the victim was thrown without any type of protection." The witness stated she was recording to show her family but was distracted waiting for her turn and did not see what was happening. She later refused to be interviewed.
After the accident, the nurse slid down a rope to try to help Rodrigues. "I saw she was breathing with difficulty and I checked her pupils, which unfortunately were dilated. I saw she had a pulse, very weak, but she still had a pulse," she recounted. She attempted resuscitation until the ambulance arrived, but efforts were in vain. Death was confirmed at the scene.
The Limeira City Hall announced it will sue the federal government for improperly managing the bridge. In a statement, they noted the omission is "unsustainable and unacceptable" and will demand action from responsible federal agencies.
María Eduarda's boyfriend, who witnessed the jump, had to be hospitalized after fainting upon witnessing the tragedy.
The case has reignited the debate about the lack of regulation of extreme sports in Brazil and the need for stricter controls to prevent similar tragedies.
Sources: BBC News Brasil, El País, TN
Alfredo S. Quiroga
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