Rappelling Tragedy: Woman Falls to Death in Minas Gerais
A 36-year-old woman died Saturday afternoon in Andradas, Minas Gerais, after falling while rappelling. The accident occurred around 5:20 p.m. in the Elephant Pedra region, prompting a rescue operation.
Details of the Fatal Accident
The victim, whose name has not been released, was part of a group of three rappelling enthusiasts from São Paulo. According to a 31-year-old male member of the group, they were experienced in the sport.
During their descent, approximately 93 meters from the base, the woman fell for reasons currently under investigation. She crashed against the rocky wall and vegetation below. The other two members found her without vital signs.
Rescue and Investigation
Fire Department teams mobilized height and terrestrial rescue resources. Military personnel traveled about six kilometers along closed forest trails to reach the body, which had sustained multiple traumas from the fall.
Due to the difficult terrain, firefighters transported the body to a location where a funeral home waited to take it to the Legal Medical Institute (IML) in Poços de Caldas. Civil Police also arrived to investigate the causes of the accident.
Rappelling Risks Highlighted
Rappelling, while exhilarating, carries inherent risks. In the U.S. alone, injuries related to rappelling and climbing activities result in approximately 4,000 emergency room visits annually (CDC).
The Civil Police are conducting an investigation to determine the exact cause of the fall.
