“‘She wanted to be a Physical Education teacher.’ That is how teacher Valdinei Barbosa prefers to remember Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas, the 21-year-old young woman who died after being dropped from a height of around 40 meters without safety equipment during a rope jump at Ponte do Esqueleto, located on the border between Limeira and Cordeirópolis, in the interior of São Paulo.

Valdinei was Maria Eduarda’s Physical Education teacher at Escola Estadual Terezinha Polloni in Jandira, Greater São Paulo, and attended his former student’s wake on Sunday

(14). According to him, the young woman, known among classmates as Duda, dreamed of pursuing the same profession.

“She always said: ‘Teacher, when I leave here I’m going to be a Physical Education teacher.’ And I always encouraged her, because she had the profile for it,” he said.

The teacher remembers Maria Eduarda as an active student who helped organize school sports competitions and played a leadership role among her classmates. “She wore the school’s jersey with pride. When we had interclass games, she was one of the people who helped organize everything the most,” he said.

According to Valdinei, his former student had already begun building the career she planned. She worked at a gym in the Jandira region and had shared with him her happiness about the professional opportunities she was gaining.

“She sent me a message saying she was very happy working in the field. She thanked me for the classes and spoke about how important they were in her life. I always saw great potential in her,” he said.

Upon learning of her death through social media, the teacher said he was devastated. “She was a very good girl, very intelligent, very active. She had her whole future ahead of her.”

Valdinei also criticized the failure that led to the tragedy. In his view, safety procedures should have prevented the accident. “There is no way to perform an extreme sport without checking all safety equipment. A 21-year-old young woman lost her life when she had so many plans ahead,” he said.

Amid the mourning, he says he holds on to memories of the student he followed during her school years. “She was very dedicated. I remember her smile, her willingness to participate in everything. We end up treating these students like our own children. The affection I had for Duda is indescribable.”

Maria Eduarda worked at Panobianco Silverstone gym. In a statement posted on social media, the unit expressed sorrow over her death and said she left her mark through her “dedication, affection, joy, and respect” toward everyone around her.

“Her presence brightened the environment, and her memory will remain forever in our hearts,” the tribute said.

Full statement below:

“Today we say goodbye to a very special person in our Panobianco Silverstone family…

Maria Eduarda left her mark through her dedication, affection, joy, and respect with which she treated everyone around her. Her presence brightened the environment, and her memory will remain forever in our hearts.

In this moment of deep sadness, we unite in prayer and solidarity with her family, friends, and colleagues, wishing strength and comfort to face this loss.

May the good memories, shared moments, and love she left behind be a source of peace and comfort.

Rest in peace, Maria Eduarda.”

The accident

A woman dies after a rope jump in Limeira; company allegedly forgot to attach the rope.

The moment of Maria Eduarda’s fall was recorded on video by witnesses who captured the moment the young woman was pushed from the platform without the rope being attached to her body (watch above).