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Discussion on the future of the Ponte do Esqueleto advanced after the death of Maria Eduarda in Limeira, reigniting old alerts about irregular access, adventure activities, public responsibility, and blocking measures on a federal structure deactivated for decades.
The Secretariat of the Union’s Heritage is discussing the possible removal of the Ponte do Esqueleto, located on the border between Limeira and Cordeirópolis, in the interior of São Paulo, after the death of Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas, 21, during a rope jump activity on Saturday (13).
During the jump, the young woman was launched from an approximate height of 40 meters without being attached to the safety ropes, according to information from the police report and agencies involved in the investigation of the case.
Belonging to the Union, the structure is located on Estrada Doutor Cássio de Freitas Levy, in a rural area frequented by cyclists, runners, visitors, and extreme sports enthusiasts.
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Deactivated for vehicle traffic about 30 years ago, the bridge had already been mentioned in alerts about risk, irregular access, and use by companies linked to adventure activities.
The discussion about the possible demolition gained momentum after a meeting held on Monday (15), when representatives of the SPU and the Attorney General’s Office were in the region to address the case with the municipal administrations.
In the meeting, the federal representatives met with the mayor of Cordeirópolis, Cristina Saad, and the mayor of Limeira, Murilo Felix, as well as technical teams from both municipalities.
Linked to the Ministry of Management and Innovation in Public Services, the SPU informed that it will continue discussing with local governments a definitive solution for the structure.
In a statement, the agency said that one of the possibilities being evaluated is the “possible removal” of the Ponte do Esqueleto.
Municipalities advocate demolition of the Ponte do Esqueleto
The municipalities of Limeira and Cordeirópolis have expressed support for the demolition of the Ponte do Esqueleto, amid pressure for measures capable of preventing new access to the area.
On the side of Cordeirópolis, the municipal administration reported that access through the city has always been blocked and advocated for the removal of the structure as a definitive safety solution.
In Limeira, Mayor Murilo Felix stated that the area has presented known risks for years, even after previous attempts to close it to prevent circulation in the area.
After the meeting with Union representatives, the city hall reported that it will reopen a ditch used to hinder access to the bridge, which was later closed without the municipal administration’s knowledge.
Until a final decision is made, the Union and city halls have agreed on joint actions to restrict circulation in the area and reduce the possibility of new irregular entries.
Among the planned measures are the installation of warning signs, the placement of physical barriers, and the reinforcement of blockades on access to the Skeleton Bridge.
Irregular access was already a target of warning before the death
Before the death of Maria Eduarda, the safety of the Skeleton Bridge had already been discussed by public agencies and local authorities, mainly due to irregular access to the structure.
In 2024, after the death of a cyclist in the region, the Superintendence of Union Heritage in São Paulo asked the Limeira City Hall to block access to the bridge and install danger signage.
During that period, access was closed, but circulation was resumed later, keeping the discussion open about supervision, responsibility, and the use of the area by adventure groups.
Also in May 2024, entrepreneurs linked to extreme sports went to the Limeira City Council to seek support from councilors for the continuation of sector companies’ operations in the area.
The SPU also stated that the transfer of the bridge’s ownership to the Union Heritage was formalized in May 2026, months before the discussion about the potential removal of the structure.
According to the federal agency, no activity in the area had been authorized, including rope jump events promoted by private companies.
Police investigate jump without secured equipment
Maria Eduarda died on Saturday morning (13), after being lifted by instructors and thrown from the bridge during the activity conducted on the Skeleton Bridge trail.
According to the São Paulo Public Security Department, the Fire Department was called, but the young woman’s death was confirmed at the scene.
The case was registered at the 3rd Police District of Limeira as homicide, and the investigation began to examine the dynamics of the launch, the involvement of those involved, and the safety conditions provided.
According to the police report, a witness showed the police a video of the moment the young woman was thrown from the structure without the equipment being properly secured.
At the time of the Military Police’s arrival, two men who identified themselves as employees of the company responsible for the jumps were near the victim and handed over personal documents to the officers.
Still according to the police report, the pair allegedly fled to a vegetated area while an officer stepped away to assist in the rescue work.
Six people were taken to the police station to provide statements, but three were released after the initial procedures conducted by the authorities responsible for the case.
Luis Felipe Feliciano Egoroff, Vitor de Freitas Gonçalves, and Maicon Fernandes Cintra were arrested in flagrante delicto and charged with homicide with eventual intent, when the risk of causing death is assumed.
Justice keeps three suspects detained
On Sunday (14), the São Paulo Justice converted the detention of the three suspects in the death of Maria Eduarda into preventive custody, following a custody hearing held via videoconference.
With the decision, Luis Felipe Feliciano Egoroff, 32, Vitor de Freitas Gonçalves, 27, and Maicon Fernandes Cintra, 42, began to face the process in detention, with no set date for automatic release.
The defense of the suspects was contacted by the newspaper on Sunday, but had not commented by the time of the publication of the report used as the basis for the case investigation.
It is also noted in the police report that, at least until the closure of the police document, the camera that was supposed to be with the victim during the jump had not yet been found.
The Civil Police are investigating the dynamics of the launch, the responsibility of each person involved, and the circumstances under which the activity was offered at the Skeleton Bridge.
Also known as human pendulum, the rope jump modality involves jumps from great heights with the participant attached to ropes that produce a swinging motion after the fall.
In the case investigated in Limeira, the investigation indicates that Maria Eduarda was launched without being connected to the safety system provided for the practice.
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