Full Breakdown
Rope-Jumping Fatality on Brazil’s Skeleton Bridge Triggers Legal Action
6/15/2026, 11:33:37 PM
Fatal Incident
On 13 June 2026, 21-year-old Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas was thrown from Ponte do Esqueleto (Skeleton Bridge) in Limeira, São Paulo, during a rope-jumping session. Two instructors held her arms and a third her feet; no safety rope was attached. She fell about 40 metres (130 ft) and was pronounced dead at the scene. Video shows an onlooker shouting “the rope!” before she was released.
Bridge Background
Ponte do Esqueleto is a federal-owned abandoned bridge used for extreme-sport activities. The Secretariat of Federal Assets (SPU) confirmed federal jurisdiction. Prior incidents include a cyclist’s death in April 2024 and injuries to two women in August 2025, prompting local calls for safety measures.
Key Actors
The victim was Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas, a physical-education student. The three men operating the jump—Maicon Fernandes Cintra (42), Luis Felipe Feliciano Egoroff (32) and Vitor de Freitas Gonçalves (27)—were linked to the Entre Cordas company. Limeira’s mayor Murilo Felix, the SPU, the São Paulo Public Security Secretariat and the Civil Police are the principal authorities.
Timeline
13 June 2026 – incident and video upload.
14 June 2026 – police arrested three men; total detainees later reached six.
15 June 2026 – Rodrigues de Freitas was buried; Limeira announced a lawsuit against the federal government. Investigation continues.
Official Responses
Police charged the three operators with homicide with eventual intent (dolus eventualis). The SPU pledged investigative assistance. Mayor Murilo Felix called the omission “unsustainable and unacceptable” and said the city will pursue legal action. Delegate Andrea Dantas Levy labeled the team unregulated and without authorization.
Criticism
Local officials argue the federal government failed to enforce access control and safety standards at the known-risk bridge. The mayor’s statement and the delegate’s remarks underscore demands for accountability and for permits to be required for any extreme-sport operators.
Eyewitness
A bystander captured on video urging that the rope be attached as the safety line lay on the ground, then watched the three men lift the victim before releasing her without attachment.
Conflicting Reports
Sources vary on whether the activity was rope-jumping or bungee jumping and on the exact legal charge. While three arrests are consistently reported, total detainees are cited as three or six. The authorization status of Entre Cordas remains unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Who was the crazy person who let me jump off a bridge???” — Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas, Instagram story.
- “the rope!” — Onlooker during the incident.
- “They are in a state of shock. They cannot explain what happened because they have been doing this for years. Nothing like this has ever happened,” — Rafael Gomes dos Santos, solicitor.
- “It was a team there that wasn’t regulated; they didn’t even have authorization to be there,” — Delegate Andrea Dantas Levy.
What’s Next
The Civil Police continue the investigation, and prosecutors may pursue murder charges. Limeira plans to file a formal complaint against the federal government, and regulators are expected to review safety protocols for extreme-sport activities on federal property.
