Additional Coverage:
A tragic accident claimed the lives of a young engaged couple during what was meant to be a thrilling tandem bungee jump near Terni, Italy. Alberto Galletti, 25, a paratrooper, and his fiancée, 26-year-old student Tiziana Accora, fell more than 300 feet to their deaths when the equipment securing them failed.
The incident occurred on May 1, 2002, at the Ponte Canale bridge at the Polino Bungee Jumping Centre, located about 60 miles north of Rome. The facility was preparing to close early for the May Day holiday when the couple persuaded manager Lorenzo Illuminati to stay open a little longer so they could make the jump together.
Tragically, shortly after their leap, the snap-hooks attaching their bungee cords to the bridge gave way, causing them to plunge into the canyon below. The bungee operator typically films jumps for participants, and this fatal descent was also captured on camera.
Manager Illuminati recounted the heartbreaking moment, explaining that just an hour before, another couple had jumped safely using the same equipment. “They jumped off together in each other’s arms, and then this happened. It’s terrible,” he said.
Authorities launched an investigation focusing on the safety harnesses and clips used during the jump. Police confirmed that the elastic cord itself was intact and capable of supporting a combined weight far exceeding that of the couple. However, the harness or its connection to the bridge appeared to have failed.
Lt. Rovaldi Di Marco of the Terni police noted that Alberto had prior parachuting experience, while it was believed to be Tiziana’s first time bungee jumping. The jump site was subsequently closed as investigators worked to determine whether equipment failure or human error was responsible for the devastating accident.
This tragic event marked the first fatalities at the Polino Bungee Jumping Centre and serves as a somber reminder of the risks associated with extreme sports.