A man died from a 40ft fall while attempting a selfie at the edge of a cliff

By Judy J. Beasley Last updated Jan 14, 2023

A tourist has plummeted 40ft to his death after slipping while taking a cliffside selfie at a scenic hotspot in Brazil.

The freak accident happened on November 10 after logistics analyst Igor de Oliveira Rodrigues Dias traveled to Joatinga Beach in Rio de Janeiro to celebrate getting a dream job. O Dia reported.

“In the morning, he signed a contract with a company he wanted to work for,” says his mother Luiza Rodrigues, 60. “So he went out with a friend to have a little party on the beach.”

The evening by the sea turned catastrophic after the thrill-seeker decided to climb a huge rock overlooking the beach, so he could take a selfie.

During the ill-fated photoshoot, Dias lost his balance and ended up plummeting 40 feet to the ground, where he hit his head against a rock, Newsflash reported.

Igor de Oliveira Rodrigues Dias was pronounced dead at the scene by rescuers.

newsflash

"I talked to him, asked where he was," said Igor's mother, Luiza Rodrigues. "He replied that he was on the beach. But I don't know why he decided to climb that high rock." — “I spoke to him, I asked him where he was,” said Igor’s mother, Luiza Rodrigues. “He replied that he was on the beach. But I don’t know why he decided to climb that high rock.

Firefighters arrived soon after, whereupon they pronounced Dias dead at the scene and transported his body from the area by helicopter.

Igor’s family was devastated by his loss. “He was an only child, he studied, he had a whole life ahead of him”, described Luiza, his son, who notably graduated from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and obtained two postgraduate degrees.

Igor’s bereaved father, Jonas Dias, added: “He died before me, and I don’t accept that. I think every son should bury his father, not the father bury his son. It was a tragedy.

Dias was an accomplished academic, notably a graduate of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and holder of two postgraduate degrees. — Dias was an accomplished scholar, graduating from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and holding two postgraduate degrees.

Following the tragic crash, authorities released a public service announcement warning the public against taking glamorous photos at high altitudes for the weight of social media.

“We must always be safe: never approach the edge of the rocks. Ask someone to take a photo, if necessary,” warned Rio de Janeiro Fire Department spokesman Fabio Contreiras. “Always seek safety first. Don’t risk your life for likes.

In the past 13 years, 379 people worldwide have died trying to take a selfie, according to a 2021 study by Spanish University Miguel Hernandez from Elche.

Dias fell from a height of 40 feet and hit his head against a rock.

India recorded the highest number of selfie deaths with 100, followed by the United States with 39, while Brazil came fifth.

Meanwhile, a 2020 a study found that selfies go wrong – dubbed autocides – account for more deaths than shark attacks.