NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles!
Three men face potential charges after a 21-year-old woman died when rope-jumping instructors allegedly launched her from a bridge without attaching the safety ropes meant to stop her fall, authorities said.
Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas, a 21-year-old student, died Saturday during a rope-jumping event at an abandoned bridge about 90 miles northwest of São Paulo, Brazil .
Police investigator Andrea Levy told reporters Monday that the three instructors involved in the jump acknowledged that Rodrigues de Freitas was not connected to any safety equipment before she was launched from the bridge.
"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 said.
COLORADO JURY AWARDS FAMILY $205M AFTER 6-YEAR-OLD FALLS TO DEATH FROM THEME PARK RIDE
The Ponte do Esqueleto, or "Skeleton Bridge," located in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Google Maps)
The three instructors were arrested following the incident and could face criminal charges , The Associated Press reported.
Brazilian authorities said the three instructors were arrested on suspicion of homicide with "eventual intent," a legal concept under Brazilian law that generally applies when a person is deemed to have accepted the risk that a death could occur. According to Brazilian outlet G1, citing investigators, the instructors were booked on the charge at the scene.
Investigators said Rodrigues de Freitas requested to be launched from the bridge "airplane style," with two instructors lifting her above their shoulders while she stretched out her arms.
CARNIVAL RIDE PASSENGERS LEFT DANGLING IN CARRIAGE AFTER MALFUNCTION AT HIGH SCHOOL EVENT: VIDEO
Video shared online appears to show two helmeted men tossing the young woman from the abandoned bridge moments before the fatal fall. The instructors appear to be wearing harnesses connected to safety lines.
Authorities said Rodrigues de Freitas fell approximately 130 feet.
Bungee jumping elastic, pictured here. (Giovanni Mereghetti/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Brazilian media reported that Rodrigues de Freitas had purchased a guided hiking excursion that included the rope jump from the abandoned bridge.
ORLANDO RIDE MAINTENANCE TECH ALLEGES SAFETY ISSUES WERE IGNORED BEFORE TEEN FELL TO HIS DEATH IN 2022: SUIT
Rope jumping is an extreme sport that differs from traditional bungee jumping. Instead of elastic cords that create a vertical bounce, rope jumping uses low-stretch climbing ropes designed to transform a fall into a pendulum-like swing.
The City of Limeira identified Rodrigues de Freitas as a resident of Jandira and issued a statement expressing condolences to her family.
"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 in a statement Saturday.
MOST DISASTROUS FREAK ACCIDENTS OF 2024: 7 TIMES EVERYDAY FUN TURNED FATAL
The city said it would cooperate with authorities investigating the incident.
Rodrigues de Freitas was buried Sunday.
Local police are investigating the incident as a homicide. (Facebook/@Comsoc Limeira)
Levy told Brazilian television program "Jornal Nacional" that investigators were examining whether the group conducting the jump was authorized to operate at the site. According to G1, Levy said investigators believe a failure to verify the placement of the safety rope contributed to the fatality.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
In a statement cited by G1, attorneys for the three instructors said their clients had experience conducting the activity and that the incident was the first fatality during their years of operation.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the apparent safety failure, including who was responsible for ensuring participants were properly secured before jumping.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Bradford Betz is a Fox News Digital breaking reporter covering crime, political issues, and much more.
Read the full article at Fox News (World) →📄Source document: Brazilian police investigator Andrea Levy→5 reports
HuffPostParty-alignedCenter5 days agoA 21-year-old woman named Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas died in São Paulo, Brazil, after falling from a bridge during what appeared to be a rope-jumping activity. Investigators confirmed that her safety harness was not properly attached. Three instructors were arrested and charged with homicide with eventual intent. Footage of the incident went viral on social media.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about an incident involving a tragic accident and legal consequences. It does not exhibit clear ideological framing, loaded language, or one-sided sourcing. The content focuses on the event itself and the subsequent legal actions taken by authorities.
Fox News (World)IndependentCenter5 days agoThree men have been charged after a 21-year-old woman died during a rope-jumping activity at an abandoned bridge in Brazil. Authorities stated that the woman was not secured with safety ropes before being launched from the bridge. Police investigators confirmed that the instructors did not recall if they forgot to attach the ropes or who was responsible for ensuring their attachment. The woman, Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas, was a student who died in the incident.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual account of an incident involving a tragic accident during a recreational activity. It does not exhibit clear ideological framing, loaded language, or one-sided sourcing. The report includes direct quotes from police officials and references legal terms used in Brazil,
Official sources cited
- government Andrea Levy, Police Investigator
- press release The Associated Press
The New York Times (US)Independent🔒Center5 days agoAndrew Lewis, 39, best known for performing in the halftime show of a Super Bowl, was killed in an attempted base jump in Utah. Another person was also killed in the incident.
Bias read (Center): The subject matter is not politically charged. The article reports on a tragic accident involving an extreme athlete without taking a stance or showing bias in framing.
Breitbart NewsIndependentCenter7 days agoA 21-year-old woman named Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas fell to her death during a bungee jumping incident in Brazil when staff reportedly failed to secure her rope. The event was captured on video showing workers carrying her over a bridge and releasing her without proper safety equipment. Her fiancé was present, and she had shared photos online shortly before the incident. Six individuals were arrested following the tragedy.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a tragic accident involving a bungee jumping incident. It provides factual details about the event, including the victim's identity, the circumstances of the fall, and the aftermath. There is no evident ideological framing or biased language. The content focuses on the factual
NBC NewsIndependentCenter7 days agoA 21-year-old woman died after being thrown from a bridge without proper bungee cord equipment in São Paulo, Brazil. The incident occurred at the Skeleton Bridge Trail in Limeira. Video footage shows the woman being lifted by three men and then thrown off the cliff while unsecured. According to authorities, the safety equipment was not properly attached, leading to her fatal fall. Three men were arrested in connection with the incident on charges of homicide with eventual intent.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual account of an accident involving a bungee jumping incident. It does not take a stance on any political issue, nor does it exhibit biased language or selective sourcing. The information is reported neutrally based on official statements and available evidence.
Official sources cited
- government São Paulo Governor’s Office Statement
- government SAMU (Emergency Medical Service)
United States