Woman's chilling social media post before being thrown to her death in rope jump where 'staff forgot to attach rope'
Tragic Brazilian rope jumper Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas left behind a hair-raising message on social media, it's been revealed.
Yesterday (June 13), at Limeira's Skeleton Bridge, the 21-year-old gym worker lost her life after staff allegedly failed to perform the proper safety procedures before flinging her 131 feet down into a ravine.
Maria was taking part in a rope jump, which is similar to a bungee jump but does not use an elasticated rope. Participants' falls are interrupted in a controlled manner, before they swing from the rope.
Unattached to any kind of life-saving rope, she died on impact as a small crowd at the edge of the bridge realised what had just unfolded; "People, the rope!" and "Guys, the rope!" were two audible comments from online footage of the moment.
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Three people were eventually placed under arrest at the scene.
Prior to taking part in the adrenaline sport, Maria had shared her enthusiasm for the day ahead at the Ponte do Esqueleto trail, writing something truly saddening in hindsight.
In a social media post published around 7.30am local time, Maria's photo was accompanied by the caption: "Who was the crazy person that let me jump off a bridge?"
This would be her final message.
O Globo reported that after police arrived, and later stepped away to help their colleagues park in poor terrain, the suspects allegedly fled into a wooded area.
Witnesses apparently told police that the suspects had changed their clothes after the fact.
They deny doing this and claim they stayed at the location. One of the suspects said in his testimony he changed his shirt because it was wet.
Local media reports that Maria was wearing a GoPro camera during the jump, which has since gone missing.
Having picked apart all witness testimonies and evidence available to them, the Civil Police later decided that those responsible for the jump could be charged with assuming the risk of causing this deadly outcome, by allegedly allowing Maria to jump without a vital safety line.
The arrestees were charged with homicide with implied malice, which means the defendant didn't intend to kill someone, but assumed the risk of their death due to their actions. The investigation remains ongoing.
Forensic analysis is still to come, which should hopefully clarify what went on.
Maria boasted training in Physical Education and Sports Management, and her horrendous story has caused ripples across international news.
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, was cycling with her husband on the Skeleton Bridge when she lost her balance when her foot touched a low wall.
Tragically, she toppled off the bridge and fell 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) asked 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.
Topics: News, Social Media
Dan Seddon