Bungee snaps plunging man 70ft from bridge in horror jump to celebrate divorce
A bloke who went bungee jumping to celebrate his divorce ended up breaking his neck when the line snapped as he was mid-air.
Rafael dos Santos Tosta, from Araucaria, Brazil, fractured his neck and lumbar spine after "bridge swinging" at the Lagoa Azul (Blue Lagoon) in Campo Magro, Brazil, in February.
After his fall, Rafael was stabilised by a medical team from the Military Police Air Operations Battalion and taken by helicopter to Rocio Hospital in Campo Largo.
READ MORE: 'Coronation cocaine deals' and '10/10 Charlie' sold by drug dealers on Charles' big day
The 22-year-old is now undergoing intensive therapy following his 20-metre plunge to "do something crazy" after the split and just three days before his birthday.
"After the divorce, I wanted to enjoy life in every way possible. I was doing a lot of crazy things. I was not valuing my life at all," he told media in his home country.
He fractured his neck and lumbar spine, hurt his back and face, and sustained other injuries in the fall.
He told local media: "You start to see life and be grateful for everything. It's not that I didn't care before, but I didn't look at it with this perspective.
"My life will never be the same. I don't want to be the Rafael I was before. I have to be thankful for being alive, which is already a very big thing."
Now, almost three months later, Rafael is still suffering from the after effects of the fall, despite several physiotherapy and treatment sessions.
Teacher's sick classroom upskirt video scheme rumbled when pupil bumped into whiteboard
He still struggles to lift heavy objects, feels pain in some areas and suffers from weakness. The psychological trauma also still affects him.
He said: "My sleep is not the same. I'm not able to sleep. I had to seek help. I started having crises, nightmares, and I'm afraid to go to sleep."
Before his jump, he remembers joking about the rope not being able to take his weight.
His next memory was of waking up in the water, with people around him asking him not to move and letting him know help was on the way.
Rafael recalled: "My mother arrived, looked at me with that look like she wanted to punch me, but she hugged me and said, 'Thank goodness you're okay, son.'
"So many things have happened in my life that I think she's already tired of telling me, 'I warned you.'"
Since Rafael's accident, the Lagoa Azul remains open to visitors, but it is no longer possible to go bridge swinging there.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.
READ NEXT:
- King Charles hoping for Harry 'surprise' with Archie and Lilibet coming to Coronation
- Coronation route 2023: King Charles' procession in full and where to see him on May 6
- Meghan Markle and Prince Harry mocked over Labrador dog's name that has 'rude' meaning
Source: Read Full Article
