A tragic incident occurred in Brazil on Sunday, June 14, when Rosemary Suzart Garcia, 59, lost her footing on a steep cliffside trail and plunged approximately 100 feet to her death. The incident happened as she was applying insect repellent to her leg while walking along a narrow path leading to an abseiling descent point at the Grutas do Spar (Spar Caves) in Maricá, Brazil.
Details of the Incident
Rosemary was part of a group of 15 people at the location. Eyewitnesses reported that she was wearing safety equipment, including gloves and a helmet, when she raised one leg to apply insect repellent. Her weight-bearing foot gave way, causing her to tumble backward over the cliff edge. The guide attempted to grab her but nearly fell as well, according to witness Giovani Maximino.
Fire crews arrived at the scene and found Rosemary deceased. She was a resident of Rio de Janeiro. Giovani Maximino told local media that he managed to locate her children at almost 2 a.m. to break the news, as no family members were present at the time.
Location Background
The Spar Caves were originally a mining site for minerals like feldspar and mica, abandoned about 50 years ago. Today, it is a tourist attraction known for its rock formations, a natural lake, and a cave approximately 40 meters (131 feet) high used for abseiling. Police are investigating the case.
Related Incident
This tragedy follows another recent accident in Brazil, where a 21-year-old woman died after a bungee jumping accident from the Skeleton Bridge in Limeira. Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas was thrown 130 feet and was reportedly still breathing when found by an off-duty nurse who attempted to save her.
