Bungee jumping is often considered the ultimate adrenaline rush. But for one woman, what was supposed to be an exhilarating experience turned into a nightmare when her cord snapped mid-air, sending her plunging into crocodile-infested waters below.

Erin Langworthy, a young Australian traveler in her early twenties, was exploring Zambia in 2012 when she decided to take on a daring bungee jump. The jump was from a bridge overlooking the mighty Zambezi River, a popular spot for thrill-seekers. But instead of bouncing back up as expected, her cord failed, causing her to freefall 360 feet straight into the fast-moving river.

A video of the horrifying incident later surfaced on social media, capturing the moment Langworthy hit the water with force. The impact was brutal. Struggling against the strong current, she fought to stay afloat as the river carried her downstream. Beneath the surface, danger lurked—not just from her injuries but also from the crocodiles that inhabit the waters.

Despite suffering internal injuries and severe bruising, Langworthy miraculously survived. She later recounted her ordeal in an interview, describing the pain and sheer exhaustion she felt as she tried to process what had happened. “I was completely black and blue, my lungs were filled with blood and water,” she said in a video for Cover-More.

A staff member from the bungee company quickly rushed to her aid, pulling her from the river before things took a deadlier turn. She was then transported to a hospital in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, where medical teams worked to stabilize her. The injuries were serious—her lungs were partially collapsed, and doctors feared the dirty river water she had swallowed could lead to a severe infection. However, after thorough examinations, X-rays confirmed she had no broken bones.

Reflecting on the incident, Langworthy shared how terrifying it was to cough up blood, realizing the severity of her internal injuries. “I just felt drained, like I couldn’t comprehend what had just happened,” she said. The long journey to the hospital only added to the distress. The accident occurred around 5:30 p.m., but it wasn’t until 11:00 p.m. that she finally arrived at the hospital. She was immediately placed on a ventilator and given antibiotics to prevent infection.

The bungee company later visited Langworthy in the hospital to apologize, expressing their shock that she had survived such a fall. Their disbelief mirrored that of many who heard her story—falling from such a height into rough waters teeming with predators should have ended in tragedy. Yet, against all odds, she lived to tell the tale.

In a twist of irony, just a day before her jump, Langworthy had sent a postcard to her mother, joking about the risk. “I’m going bungee jumping tomorrow, so I’ll say goodbye now… only kidding!” she had written. That postcard, now a symbol of her incredible survival, remains proudly displayed on the family’s fridge. However, Langworthy admitted that her mother is firmly against her ever attempting such a stunt again.

Her harrowing story serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved in extreme sports. While thousands take the plunge each year without incident, accidents—though rare—can and do happen. Safety measures are always in place, but when equipment fails, the consequences can be catastrophic.

Langworthy’s story resurfaced recently amid growing fascination with extreme sports. Another viral video showcased a new style of bungee jumping, one where thrill-seekers freefall without a rope, relying instead on a safety net to catch them. In the clip, a woman is seen preparing for her drop, legs dangling over the edge as she nervously awaits her fate.

The ride operator offers her a choice—should she receive a countdown or be taken by surprise? Opting for the unexpected, she braces herself. In a split second, the rope is pulled, sending her plunging 141 feet toward the ground. A chilling scream escapes as she tumbles through the air, her fall eventually broken by a massive green net below.

While such stunts captivate audiences and fuel adrenaline junkies’ desires, they also highlight the fine line between thrill and danger. Every jump carries an element of risk, no matter how well-planned or controlled. For Langworthy, that risk became a reality in the most terrifying way possible. Yet, she defied the odds, emerging from the ordeal with an unforgettable story of survival.