Overlong Cords Blamed In Death Of Bungee Jumper

A man apparently trying to bungee jump off a railroad trestle hit the ground and died Saturday because the cords he used were too long.

Eric Barcia, 22, had a number of bungee cords - stretchy little ropes with hooks on each end - connected with tape, police said.

One end was tied to his feet, the other to the bridge.

“The length of the cord that he had assembled was greater than the distance between the trestle and the ground,” police spokesman Warren Carmichael said.

The area where Barcia died has signs warning people to stay off the trestle.

“It’s quite obviously off limits,” said county spokeswoman Merni Fitzgerald.

Barcia’s grandmother, Lucille Kilinski, said she was surprised that he would try such a stunt.

“He was very smart in school. His mother told me he got good grades and was responsible at work,” said Kilinski, 79.