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Topics: Mental Health, Social Media, Sport, Travel, World News
Liv Bridge
Topics: Mental Health, Social Media, Sport, Travel, World News
Warning: This article contains discussion of mental health which some readers may find distressing
A teenager has tragically died in a parasailing accident after she apparently had a 'panic attack'.
Last week on Wednesday (May 28), emergency services confirmed a woman on vacation in Montenegro died from falling from a great height after becoming freed from a safety harness while parasailing.
Here's everything we know about the tragic incident.
Tijana Radonjic was a 19-year-old model and social media influencer from Novi Sad, Serbia, who built a following for her travel-inspired posts.
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The young woman had been invited to the tourist hotspot in Budva, Montenegro, dubbed the 'Hawaii of Motenegro' to film a video in collaboration with the parasailing company to 'boost business with tourists for the summer holiday season'.
She agreed to the free parasailing ride in exchange for the video content, reports Daily Mail.
It is believed the teen had no prior experience of the sport and was tasked with soaring over the Budva Riviera on a parasail that was being towed by a speed boat.
Witnesses told local news media that the teen looked calm and relaxed when she was strapped into the safety harness, and the firm said she had been given adequate safety training.
However, harrowing footage appears to show the model suffering a panic attack while she was mid-air.
Tijana could be seen frantically ripping off her life jacket, pulling on the cables and unbuckling her safety harness.
Horrified spectators from the sandy beach nearby are said to have heard her screaming: "Put me down! Put me down!"
Local outlet Republika also reported that others heard her shout: "Help me."
The footage shows the model had removed her harness and jacket and could be seen trying to wriggle free of the leg straps while soaring more than 150 feet over the Adriatic Sea.
Moments after shouting for help, Tijana came loose from the canvas seat and could be seen toppling upside down.
She plunged head-first into the ocean some 150 feet below.
The young woman's lifeless body was then retrieved by paramedics, who took her to the marina before emergency services tragically declared she had died from the 50-metre fall.
Mirko Krdzic, the owner of the parasailing company, said Tijana appeared 'cheerful' and 'in a good mood' before the set sail.
"She showed no fear of heights or flying," he continued as per The Daily Mail. "Before we set off, she waved to her friends on the beach and they waved back. Everything seemed fine.
"We don't know why she unbuckled her seat belt and harness and jumped out.
"I guess she didn't do it consciously, but in a moment of uncontrollable fear."
He added: "I am sorry for the death of the young girl. I hope to meet her parents to express my condolences in person.
"We are all in shock after the accident that happened."
The tour company has suggested perhaps she became afraid that something was wrong with the equipment, adding: "Maybe she wasn't aware of the height she was flying at.
"I do not know exactly what happened. She did not show any fear of flying, she underwent training, after which the tragedy followed.
"Technical inspections of all the equipment are underway, and the results of the autopsy are awaited."
The circumstances of Tijana's death is still under investigation, with local authorities saying suicide has not been ruled out.
However, Tijana's heartbroken family are now disputing the claim that she caused her own death.
Her parents, Branka and Goran, also shared a heartbreaking post ahead of her funeral, writing: "We will never come to terms with this, nor accept that you are gone.
"You will remain in our hearts forever. Our bravest we love you endlessly and will be missed forever.
"Rest in peace and may the angels watch over you. Now you are one of them."