Police allege instructors launched the 21-year-old without attaching a safety rope during an extreme sports event.
LIMEIRA, Brazil — A 21-year-old university student died after falling about 130 feet from an abandoned bridge in São Paulo state when she was launched during a rope-jumping activity without being connected to a safety line, according to Brazilian police and local authorities.
Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas was participating in an extreme sports excursion at the disused Ponte do Esqueleto, or “Skeleton Bridge,” when the fatal accident occurred. Investigators say the safety system that should have connected her to ropes was never attached before the jump. The incident has triggered a criminal investigation, arrests of instructors involved in the activity and renewed scrutiny of unauthorized adventure tourism operations operating at abandoned sites across Brazil.
Authorities said the accident occurred June 13 during a rope-jumping session organized near Limeira, a city northwest of São Paulo. Video recorded at the scene shows Rodrigues de Freitas being carried toward the edge of the bridge by instructors before she was launched into the air. Moments later, witnesses realized the rope intended to secure her remained on the platform. People nearby can be heard shouting in alarm as the mistake became apparent. Investigators later said Rodrigues de Freitas had requested an “airplane-style” jump, a maneuver in which participants are held horizontally before being released. Earlier that day, she shared a lighthearted social media message expressing excitement about the experience. Friends and relatives said she had been looking forward to the outing as part of a recreational trip. Emergency crews, including a police helicopter, were dispatched after the fall, but responders were unable to save her.
Police investigator Andrea Levy said preliminary findings indicate Rodrigues de Freitas was not attached to any safety rope when she left the bridge. Video reviewed by investigators reportedly showed instructors wearing harnesses while the participant had no visible connection to the rigging system. Officials arrested several people connected to the operation, and three instructors were later placed under investigation for homicide allegations related to the incident. Authorities identified the men as Luis Felipe Feliciano Egoroff, Vitor de Freitas Goncalves and Maicon Fernandes Cintra. According to police, the suspects gave conflicting statements and could not clearly explain who was responsible for verifying that the participant had been secured. Investigators also examined whether the operation had proper authorization to conduct extreme sports activities at the site. Officials said the business involved in the jump was operating without required approvals. Several items of equipment were seized for analysis as authorities attempted to reconstruct exactly how multiple safety checks failed before the launch.
The bridge where the accident occurred has become a well-known destination for thrill-seekers despite its abandoned condition. The partially constructed railway structure has long attracted visitors interested in climbing, photography and extreme sports. Local officials have repeatedly raised concerns about safety at the site. In recent years, authorities reported other serious accidents in the area, including fatal incidents unrelated to organized rope-jumping events. Those incidents prompted calls for stronger controls, but access to the bridge has remained difficult to regulate because of its remote location and popularity among adventure tourism groups. Rope jumping differs from traditional bungee jumping because participants are attached to climbing-style ropes designed to create a pendulum swing rather than a vertical rebound. Regardless of the method used, safety systems generally depend on multiple equipment checks and confirmation procedures before a participant leaves the platform. Investigators are now examining whether established industry practices were ignored or bypassed before Rodrigues de Freitas was launched.
Prosecutors and police are continuing to gather evidence, including video footage and witness testimony. Authorities said one focus of the investigation is determining individual responsibility for the final safety verification. Court proceedings could determine whether the case remains classified as manslaughter or whether more serious charges become appropriate as evidence develops. Officials have also sought information about the licensing status of the organizers and whether previous complaints had been filed against the operation. A 360-degree camera reportedly carried by Rodrigues de Freitas during the jump has not been recovered, and investigators are attempting to determine whether any additional recordings exist. The three instructors accused in the case remain subject to judicial proceedings while investigators complete forensic reviews and interview additional witnesses. Authorities have not announced a final timetable for concluding the investigation, but further hearings and evidence reviews are expected in the coming weeks.
The tragedy drew emotional reactions from family members, witnesses and residents of the region. An off-duty nurse who responded after the fall said Rodrigues de Freitas was still showing signs of life when rescuers reached her. The nurse described a difficult effort to reach the victim through rough terrain below the bridge. Family members expressed grief and anger as details emerged about the apparent safety failure. Her mother publicly questioned how such a basic mistake could occur during an activity that depended entirely on proper equipment checks. Friends described Rodrigues de Freitas as an active student pursuing studies in physical education and sports management. Her funeral was held shortly after the accident, drawing mourners from her community. As investigators continue their work, the case has become a national story in Brazil, with many focusing on whether stronger oversight could prevent similar incidents at unregulated adventure tourism sites.
The investigation remains active, and authorities say additional findings are expected as evidence reviews continue. The next major milestone will be the completion of forensic and procedural reports that could determine whether formal criminal prosecutions move forward against those accused in the case.
Author note: Last updated June 15, 2026.