A hiker has died after falling approximately 500 feet while posing for a photograph at the top of a cliff in Brazil. Caio Arrabal, 44, was at the popular Pedra do Macaco trail in Maricá, Rio de Janeiro, when he climbed onto rocks at the summit on Sunday.
Footage recorded by a female hiker shows Arrabal positioning himself in a narrow gap of the rock formation before attempting to descend. As he turned to face the woman, he lost his footing and plunged about 492 feet to his death.
Emergency crews were called at around 11:40am and launched a search operation. It took approximately four hours to reach the location, with teams using ropes and air support due to the difficult terrain. Rescue instructor Matheus Moura said the recovery effort was complex because of the steep ground and dense forest where Arrabal landed.
Arrabal was part of a group guiding visitors along the hiking trail and it was reportedly his first time on the path. Officials noted that the trail lacks warning signs along the route.
The incident is the second tragedy in the Maricá area in two weeks. On June 14, Rosemary Garcia, 59, died after falling about 98 feet from a zip-line park at Gruta do Spar. Witnesses said she was wearing safety gear but fell while applying insect repellent.
