Couple plunge 50 feet to their deaths while hugging and kissing against railing on Peruvian bridge
CUSCO, PERU: In a tragic incident, a couple fell 50 feet to their deaths while engaged in a public display of affection, off the Bethlehem Bridge in Cusco, Peru, on Saturday, August 3.
While sharing a romantic moment in the early hours of the day, 36-year-old Hector Vidal and 34-year-old Maybeth Espinoza met a tragic end. The moment of their fall was captured in a disturbing CCTV footage.
The footage showed the pair hugging and kissing against the railing of the bridge. Cars are seen zipping past the two as Maybeth leans against the railing. In a passionate move, she goes on to sit on top of the railing while Hector moves in closer to embrace her.
Just as he puts his arms around her and she wraps her legs around his waist, Maybeth loses her balance, falling backward over the metal railing supporting her body. Since her legs were locked around Vidal, she ended up dragging her partner along with her, according to a report by Mirror.
The clip ended with the couple failing to cling on to the railing and taking a 50-foot plunge together. The moment they hit the concrete below was not recorded on the security camera.
According to first responders on the scene, they were both alive even after hitting the road below. Both of them were transported to a nearby hospital but could not be saved. While Hector suffered a severe head injury, the nature of his partner's injuries was unclear. The two of them were declared dead later at the hospital.
A number of witnesses described the moment they saw the couple tumble to their deaths. They raised the alarm after witnessing the fall and called for help immediately. The footage was also broadcast by Peruvian TV stations. An investigation into the incident is underway.
According to reports, the pair had stopped on the bridge to kiss after leaving a nightclub nearby just after 1 am on Saturday. Maybeth and Hector were both mountaineers who had moved to Cusco to work as tour guides, added another report.