Young man dies in a pendulum jump in the interior of São Paulo after the rope is not attached; instructors are arrested
A 21-year-old woman died on Saturday (18) in a tragic accident while practicing pendulum jumping, also known as rope-jumping, in the interior of the state of São Paulo. Instructors would not have secured the safety rope before the young woman was thrown from a bridge in a 40-meter drop. The incident led to the arrest of three men involved, who are now being investigated for possible homicide with possible intent.
The alarming case took place at Ponte do Esqueleto, an abandoned site on the border between the cities of Limeira and Cordeirópolis. Shocking images of the moment the victim, Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas, was released, circulated widely on social media over the weekend, highlighting the fatal error. Emergency teams were called, but found the victim dead at the scene of the accident.
The São Paulo Civil Police are conducting an in-depth investigation to determine the circumstances that led to Maria Eduarda’s death. The three men who acted as instructors were arrested and could be charged with intentional homicide, as reported by the Globo portal. This type of accusation occurs when the person responsible does not have the direct intention of causing death, but assumes the risk when carrying out the action.
Witnesses at the scene reported that, while Maria Eduarda was preparing for the jump, the main safety rope was not correctly attached to her equipment. Videos show two men holding the young woman by her arms and a third helping her from behind. The moment she was released, screams from spectators warning about the lack of rope could be heard, but it was already too late. Instructors, in turn, used their own safety equipment, including harnesses and ropes.
What distinguishes pendulum jumping from traditional bungee jumping
Pendulum jumping, or rope-jumping, is an extreme sport that differs from the more well-known bungee jump. While bungee jumping uses an elastic rubber rope that provides a vertical “jump and bounce” effect, pendulum jumping uses climbing ropes with low elasticity. The objective is to transform the free fall into a horizontal swing, simulating a large arch.
This technical distinction is crucial to understanding the dynamics of the accident. Failure to secure the rope in a pendulum jump means the total absence of any system that absorbs or redirects the energy of the fall, resulting in a direct and fatal impact. The practice, although exciting, requires strict safety protocols and double checking of equipment to guarantee the integrity of the participants.
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The Skeleton Bridge, the scene of the tragedy, is a structure that has been abandoned for many years and is the responsibility of the federal government. The Secretariat of Union Heritage (SPU) informed that it is available to the authorities to assist in the investigations. However, the city of Limeira (SP) announced that it will sue the federal government for the lack of management and security at the site.
In an official note, the municipal administration of Limeira declared that it had already been adopting administrative measures and demanding action from the federal agencies responsible for the area. The death of Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas makes the continuation of this omission “unsustainable and unacceptable”, reinforced the statement. This legal dispute over negligent maintenance of the bridge adds a complex layer to the case, raising questions about the safety of abandoned public structures.
Details about the victim and the group organizing the jump
Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas was 21 years old and was buried the day after the accident. The young woman, who was preparing for a moment of leisure and adventure, had her life abruptly interrupted by human error.
Local authorities reported that the instructors involved belonged to a private company that offered pendulum jumping activities. However, some media outlets in the region suggest that they could be part of informal groups that practice the sport. The investigation must clarify the exact nature of the responsible organization and whether it had the appropriate authorizations and certifications to operate this type of risky activity.
