Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas, 21, fell 130 feet to her death while bungee jumping off Skeleton Bridge in Limeira, São Paulo, Brazil, after allegedly being pushed without a safety rope, according to a statement from the city’s police department. The incident occurred on April 12, 2024, at the bridge, a site known for adventure tourism, police said. A preliminary investigation by the Limeira municipal police confirmed the woman’s fall but did not yet attribute fault, citing ongoing interviews with witnesses and staff from the bungee jumping operator.
The bungee jumping company, Skyline Adventures, has not issued a public statement, but local media reported that the operator’s equipment was inspected hours before the incident. A police report obtained by Folha de S.Paulo indicated that Freitas was part of a group of five participants, none of whom were injured. Witnesses described hearing a loud impact and seeing a staff member run from the platform shortly after the fall, according to a testimony included in the report. The police have not identified the individual but are reviewing security footage from the site.
Residents near Skeleton Bridge, a 19th-century structure spanning the Tietê River, said the area has seen increased tourism in recent years. Local authorities confirmed that the bridge’s bungee jumping operations require permits from both the city and state environmental agencies. A spokesperson for the São Paulo State Environmental Department stated that Skyline Adventures holds a valid license, though the agency is reviewing whether safety protocols were followed. “We are cooperating fully with the investigation,” the spokesperson said in a written statement.
The death has prompted calls for stricter oversight of adventure tourism activities in the region. Ana Paula Silva, a representative for the Brazilian Association of Tourist Safety, noted that incidents involving commercial bungee jumping are rare but emphasized the need for “continuous audits of equipment and staff training.” Silva cited a 2022 incident in Minas Gerais where a similar fall led to a temporary suspension of operations at a nearby site. The São Paulo state government has not announced new regulations as a result of Freitas’ death, according to a statement from the state secretary of tourism.
The Limeira police have not ruled out criminal charges against any individuals involved. A spokesperson said the case is being treated as a “possible case of negligence,” with investigators examining whether the safety rope was improperly secured or if staff failed to follow procedures. The investigation is expected to take at least two weeks, according to a court filing. Freitas’ family has not commented publicly, but a neighbor described her as a “bright student” pursuing a degree in environmental science. The police have not released a final report but said they would share updates via their official social media channels.
