Three bungee jump instructors have been arrested after a 21-year-old woman plunged more than 130 feet to her death during a bridge jump in Brazil, with investigators alleging her safety rope was never attached.
The fatal incident occurred on Saturday at Skeleton Bridge in Limeira, where aspiring teacher Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas was taking part in a bungee jump.
According to police, the three instructors — Luis Felipe Feliciano Egoroff, 32, Vitor de Freitas Gonçalves, 27, and Maicon Fernandes Cintra, 42 — were taken into custody following the tragedy.
Footage released by authorities showed the men being questioned by police, during which two of them reportedly admitted they were responsible for preparing the ropes before the jump.
However, when asked who carried out the final safety inspection before Maria was launched, both Luis and Maicon allegedly told investigators they could not remember.
Luis reportedly said that team members did not have fixed responsibilities and that equipment checks were carried out collectively.
Police are investigating how the fatal mistake occurred after Maria was reportedly released from the bridge without her safety rope being properly connected to her harness.
Horrifying video of the incident showed the young woman being held in a “Superman” position before being launched from the bridge.
Moments after she fell, voices could allegedly be heard shouting: “The rope, people, the rope!”
Maria plunged more than 130 feet to the ground and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities said she was unaware that the safety rope had not been attached before the jump.
Investigators have also examined claims involving a GoPro camera that Maria was carrying during the activity.
One witness alleged that an employee was seen removing the camera from the victim after the fall, raising questions about the handling of potential evidence.
The three instructors have since been charged with homicide with implied malice.
Their lawyer rejected suggestions that the incident was intentional, describing the tragedy as a devastating accident.
He said the men were passionate about the sport and had never encountered similar problems before.
Police further claimed that some staff members changed their clothes after the incident and that at least two individuals left the area before being located and arrested shortly afterwards.
The case has sparked widespread outrage across Brazil, with many questioning safety procedures at adventure sports facilities.
Maria’s mother later paid an emotional tribute to her daughter, saying she had been left with nothing but pain following the tragedy.
She also condemned the rope that was allegedly forgotten, describing it as “damned and cursed”.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal jump.
