A 21‑year‑old woman, Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas, died when rope‑jump instructors failed to attach the safety cord for a jump at the abandoned Ponte do Esqueleto in São Paulo state. The footage, posted on social media, shows two men in white helmets gripping her arms while a third holds her feet as she is released onto a 40‑metre drop.
Local police arrested three men who were alleged to have run a private rope‑jumping operation on the bridge. Authorities are investigating whether the men are culpable of homicide with eventual intent. The Hague of Federal Assets says the bridge is federal responsibility and will assist in the investigation.
Community leaders and the City Hall of Limeira demanded action because the bridge has been abandoned for years and the activity was reportedly run by informal groups. The incident underscores the danger of unregulated extreme sports on derelict structures. The bridge, known as the Skeleton Bridge, remains closed pending further inquiry.
For more details see Globo reports.
