The Skeleton Bridge – known locally as Ponte do Esqueleto – in the interior of São Paulo became the site of a tragic extreme‑sports accident on Saturday when Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas, 21, was sent to the edge of the bridge without a rope attached.
Video circulating online shows workout instructors holding the woman at the edge while a lone spectator screams at them to secure a rope – an action that never occurred. She fell 40 metres (about 130 ft) and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities have arrested three men accused of negligence. Police are examining whether their actions amount to homicide with intent – the legal term used when an individual does not intend to kill but assumes the risk of doing so.
Rope‑jumping differs from bungee jumping in that it uses low‑stretch climbing ropes that convert a vertical fall into a horizontal pendulum swing. The bridge has fallen into dereliction for years and is managed by Brazil’s federal government, which said it could assist the investigation.
The City Hall of Limeira, where the bridge lies, has announced a lawsuit against the federal agencies for failing to maintain the structure. Officials said the incident makes continued negligence unacceptable, underscoring a need for better safety oversight.
Local reports suggest the instructors belonged to a private rope‑jumping company, while some media say they were part of informal groups. The outcome of the legal proceedings remains uncertain as the authorities pursue charges against the men.
