A terrifying bungee-jumping accident turned into a miraculous survival story when Erin Langworthy plunged 360 feet into crocodile-infested waters after her cord snapped mid-jump. The shocking incident, captured on video and widely shared on social media, shows the moment the cord gave way, sending her free-falling into the Zambezi River at Victoria Falls, on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Langworthy, an Australian tourist, had been taking part in the popular but extreme bungee-jumping experience off the Victoria Falls Bridge when the accident occurred. Footage shows her briefly bouncing before the cord suddenly snaps, leaving her plummeting into the turbulent river below.
Despite the horrifying fall and the presence of crocodiles in the river, Langworthy survived. The force of the water carried her downstream as she struggled to stay afloat—while her feet were still tied together by the snapped cord. She fought to free herself as the rope snagged on underwater rocks, all while navigating powerful currents and murky waters.
Incredibly, a staff member from the bungee company managed to pull her from the river. However, her ordeal was far from over. The incident took place at around 5:30 p.m., but due to the remote location and coordination delays, Langworthy didn’t arrive at the hospital until 11:00 p.m.
By the time she reached medical care in Victoria Falls, she was placed on a ventilator and administered antibiotics to prevent infection from the contaminated water she had swallowed during the fall. Medical staff treated her for partially collapsed lungs and monitored her closely, given the significant risks of internal injuries and disease.
“I started coughing up blood and began to worry about internal injuries,” Langworthy later told The Guardian. “I just felt exhausted and struggled to process what had happened.” Despite the trauma, X-rays showed no broken bones—a result that stunned both her doctors and rescuers.
Langworthy’s survival has been hailed as nothing short of miraculous, especially considering the fall, the crocodiles, and the danger of infection. The bungee company involved later visited her in the hospital to issue a personal apology and admitted they were astonished she had made it out alive.
Her story has sparked discussions about the safety standards of adventure tourism operators in high-risk environments. Still, Langworthy’s incredible resilience and will to survive in such life-threatening conditions continue to inspire many.
