Hiker Dies in 500-Foot Fall Moments After Taking a Selfie

Caio Rocha Aguiar Arrabal, 44, had reached the top of a scenic rock formation in Maricá, Brazil, when he stopped to take a photograph of himself. Moments later, he slipped and fell approximately 492 feet. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

A Landmark Known for Its Views and Its Risks

Pedra do Macaco is a rocky outcropping on a popular hiking trail in the municipality of Maricá, in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The site draws hikers with its elevated panoramas and the challenge of its terrain, but its exposed summit and narrow access points make it a location where mistakes have serious consequences.

A woman in Arrabal's hiking group recorded part of the incident. Video from the scene shows him climbing through a narrow gap in the rock to reach the exposed top of the formation. After pausing to take a photo, he reportedly began descending on the wrong side of the rock and lost his footing.