Witnesses say the woman fell about 35 m, after staff apparently failed to fasten her safety belt properly. (Photo: Screenshot from video)
A 21-year-old woman died on Saturday during a bungee jump in Brazil, after she was apparently pushed off a bridge without being properly connected to safety equipment.
According to reports from CNN Brasil, the incident took place at Ponte do Esqueleto, or “Skeleton Bridge”, an abandoned structure that connects the cities of Limeira and Cordeirópolis in the state of São Paulo.
The bridge has not been used for about three decades, but has since become a popular destination for adrenaline seekers, despite the fact that there is no official supervision or safety regulation.
Witnesses say the woman fell about 35 m, after staff apparently failed to fasten her safety belt properly.
One eyewitness, who visited the place with her partner, told CNN Brasil that the incident was the result of gross negligence.
“It was irresponsible on the part of the team. Three people jumped in front of her, and this time they didn’t check the belt. It wasn’t just an accident. It was something very basic that just wasn’t done.”
‘They only realized after she fell’
According to people who recorded the incident themselves, chaos broke out when onlookers realized that the woman had been pushed off the bridge without a seat belt on.
“The screams started when everyone realized what had happened. It was total confusion – at first people just stood and watched, and then it became clear that she had been sent down without any rope,” says one of the testimonies.
Information indicates that instructors from Entre Cordas, the company that hosted the activity, only realized the mistake after the jump.
“The staff literally froze when they understood what had happened. Nobody knew what to do next,” said an eyewitness.
According to reports, staff then tried to leave the scene but were stopped by local police. No arrests have been made so far.
Company disappears from social media
CNN Brasil further reports that the company’s Instagram account was removed shortly after the incident, while other customers were still waiting on the bridge for their turn.
A WhatsApp group used to spread information about the activity has also been removed.
The woman reportedly paid about $290 for the experience, which included video footage of the jump.
Although the “Skeleton Bridge” is widely known on social media as an extreme sports location, it is not an official tourist attraction.
Local authorities have warned in the past about the lack of safety infrastructure and regulation, and have reportedly even called for access restrictions or warning signs.
The police in São Paulo are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident.
Sources: CNN Brasil, Ynet Global