Brazil rope-jump victim, 21, shared post about it before falling to her death

Before being thrown from a bridge to her death by bungee instructors who allegedly failed to attach her safety rope, Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas shared an eerie post on social media.

The 21-year-old died over the weekend while rope jumping from a 130ft drop in Limeira, São Paulo, Brazil.

Footage of the incident showed two staff members carrying the Jandira-local to the edge of the abandoned railway bridge in a 'Superman' pose, with her arms and legs in a horizontal position.

Prior to throwing her over the edge, the duo failed to notice that Rodrigues de Freitas' harness hadn't been attached to the main rope, despite horrified onlookers - including her fiancée - telling the organisers, 'the rope, people, the rope'.

The camera then panned to show the safety rope lying unused on the platform, while the jumper hit the ground.

The 21-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene (Facebook)

Rodrigues de Freitas, a recent physical education and sports management graduate, was declared dead from multiple injuries by paramedics at the scene.

Prior to the incident, she shared a photo from the top of the bridge on Instagram, writing in the caption: "Who was the crazy person who let me jump off a bridge???". Her social media profile has since been taken down.

Following the fatality, six people were transported to Limeira’s Second Police District.

The victim hadn't been attached to the main rope (NBC)

Three men, identified as Luis Felipe Feliciano Egoroff, 32, Vitor de Freitas Gonçalves, 27, and Maicon Fernandes Cintra, 42, were subsequently arrested and charged with homicide with implied malice.

The charge means that, while police believe Rodrigues de Freitas' death had been an accident, their actions mean they assume responsibility for the risk which caused her death.

The suspects reportedly attempted to flee into the woods after Rodrigues de Freitas' fall, but were captured after being spotted by a police helicopter, as per local outlet O Globo, though they deny this.

The victim shared a post on social media prior to the jump (Instagram)

None of them could explain what had gone wrong during the lead-up to the victim's death.

"Usually it's Felipe who puts on the rope," Cintra told police. "In 99 per cent of cases. And I assist with the operation. I participate in the check, I call the person, and I check the helmet. But in her case, I don't remember. I don't remember."

Police are still investigating whether the incident was the result of negligence.

Timeline of accidents at Brazil's Skeleton Bridge

Ponte do Esqueleto, nicknamed Skeleton Bridge, was meant to be part of Brazil’s Federal Railway Network (RFFSA).

It’s been abandoned for around 30 years. However, it has remained popular with extreme sports enthusiasts, and this isn’t the first tragedy that has taken place there.

According to O Tempo, one businessman claimed the bridge receives 500 visitors a month.

April 2024

Mum-of-one Kelly Stefani de Oliveira Alves, 39, is cycling with her husband on the Skeleton Bridge when she loses her balance as her foot touches a low wall.

Tragically, she falls off the bridge and drops 15 metres with her bike, dying at the scene and leaving behind a seven-year-old son.

Following the accident, Brazil’s Ministry of Management and Innovation in Public Services (MGI) asks for the bridge to be closed and for danger signs to warn people not to go on it.

Nevertheless, activities at the site resumed.

August 2025

Two women fall from the Skeleton Bridge and suffer serious injuries.

One woman is taken to Santa Casa de Limeira hospital with critical injuries. Another suffers multiple fractures throughout her body.