Tragic Rope Jumping Incident in São Paulo Results in Fatality

A rope jumping incident in São Paulo, Brazil, resulted in the death of a 21-year-old woman when instructors failed to secure her with safety equipment. The Civil Police of São Paulo State confirmed the incident, which took place at the Ponte do Esqueleto, also known as Skeleton Bridge. This site is a well-known location for rope jumping, located around 100 miles northwest of São Paulo.

Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas from Jandira, São Paulo, died when she was thrown from the bridge, which stands nearly 30 meters above the ground. The police report indicated she was not attached to any safety rope.

Rope jumping is different from bungee jumping in that it uses a less elastic rope to create an outward swing. Videos of the incident, which have circulated widely on social media, show Ms. de Freitas being lifted by two instructors with her arms extended before being thrown off the bridge. The instructors appeared harnessed and connected to a rope, but the harness clips on Ms. de Freitas seemed empty in the videos.

A nurse attempted to revive Ms. de Freitas upon arrival of the police but found her without vital signs. Three men associated with the company providing these jumps were arrested. According to the report, two of them fled and were later captured. The company was unauthorized to operate jumps at this location, confirmed by Brazil’s Ministry of Management and Innovation in Public Services.

Ms. de Freitas was using a camera similar to a GoPro during her jump, yet police could not locate it at the scene. The instructors claimed ignorance of its location.

Ms. de Freitas was laid to rest on Sunday in São Paulo State.

Leonardo Coelho contributed to the reporting.