19-year-old model and influencer Tijana Radonjic falls to death while parasailing
Tijana Radonjic, a model and influencer, plunged to her death while parasailing. She was 19 years old.
The Daily Mail reported that the Serbian personality was in Budva in Montenegro when she fell into the Adriatic Sea from a 50-meter height.
Emergency services were sought on that fateful day, but it was too late.
Describing a video it had obtained but chose not to publish, the media outlet noted that Radonjic looked distressed in her parasailing seat.
As she was trying to pull herself up on the two straps on the side, she unbuckled the seatbelt and jacket, twisting around in her seat before tipping upside down and falling through the leg braces.
The Daily Mail reported that spectators heard Radonjic screaming, "Put me down! Put me down!" Others also heard her saying, "Help me."
Radonjic was filming a promotional video for a local tourist agency when the incident happened.
The video was supposed to show a parasailing, bikini-clad Radonjic as she enjoys soaring over the Budva Riviera. Per the media outlet, she did the shoot for free.
According to witnesses, she looked happy and relaxed as she was buckled in.
There were speculations that she suffered a "panic attack" in the middle of the parasailing session.
Authorities haven't ruled out suicide, though Radonjic's loved ones said they don't believe that she would've killed herself.
Mirko Krdzic, the owner of the parasailing company, told Serbian outlet Kurir that they're all in shock after what happened to Radonjic.
"The pilot, who was driving the speedboat, was [speechless] after the girl's fall. He was unable to speak," Kdzic said in Serbian, adding that he went to the scene of the accident as soon as he learned about it.
"I've been doing this job for 20 years, and that's more than 1,000 flights and everything was fine," he added.
Kdzic said he was with the police until 11 p.m. on that day, and gave statements the following morning. He lamented how and why the video of Radonjic's fall went public.
"Technical inspections of the entire equipment are underway, and the results of the autopsy are awaited," he added.
Kdzic noted that Radonjic was in a good mood before the ride. He also dismissed beliefs that she was drunk or high. "She showed no fear of flying or heights," he said, adding that she even waved to her friends on the beach.
Kdzic didn't provide details of the investigation as it's still ongoing.
