A 59-year-old woman tragically lost her life after falling 100 feet from a cliff while applying insect repellent during a hike in Brazil. The incident occurred on Sunday, June 14, when Rosemary Suzart Garcia was traversing a steep trail leading to the start of an abseiling descent at Grutas do Spar (Spar Caves) in Maricá.
Details of the Accident
According to eyewitnesses, Garcia was part of a group of 15 people. She was wearing safety equipment, including gloves and a helmet, when she stopped to apply insect repellent to her leg. As she lifted one leg, her weight-bearing foot slipped, causing her to fall backwards off the cliff edge. Despite the guide's attempt to grab her, she plummeted approximately 30 meters (98 feet).
Emergency Response
Emergency services arrived at the scene, but Garcia was pronounced dead. Fire crews found her body at the base of the cliff. Giovani Maximino, a witness, told local media: "The guide tried to hold her and nearly went over as well. It's a drop of around 30m. She had just finished applying the insect repellent. It all happened very quickly."
Location and Investigation
The Spar Caves were carved from a mining site where feldspar and mica were extracted around 50 years ago. Today, it is a tourist attraction known for its rock formations, a natural lake, and a 40-meter (131-foot) high cave used for abseiling. Police are investigating the case.
This tragedy follows another recent incident in Brazil, where a 21-year-old woman died after a bungee jumping accident. Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas was thrown 130 feet from the Skeleton Bridge in Limeira. An off-duty nurse reported that she was still breathing when found, but later died.
