The Unanswered Questions: 5 Shocking Facts About The 19-Year-Old Model’s Fatal Parasailing Fall
The tragic death of 19-year-old Tijana Radonjic has become a grim focal point in the global discussion about extreme sports safety and operator negligence. As of December 2025, the full legal and emotional fallout from the horrifying accident in Budva, Montenegro, continues to reverberate, leaving a family devastated and a community demanding answers. The incident, which occurred in May, involved a young Serbian model and influencer who fell over 150 feet into the Adriatic Sea, turning a promotional video shoot into a devastating tragedy.
This article provides an in-depth look at the shocking circumstances of the case, the life of the promising young woman, and the critical safety questions that remain unanswered, highlighting the need for stricter regulations in the high-stakes world of commercial water sports.
Tijana Radonjic: Biography and Final Moments
Tijana Radonjic was a vibrant 19-year-old from Novi Sad, Serbia, who had begun making a name for herself as a model and social media influencer. Known for her ambition and engaging online presence, she was in Budva, Montenegro, a popular tourist hotspot on the Adriatic coast, to participate in a promotional video shoot.
Her final moments were captured on video, which became a key piece of evidence in the subsequent investigation.
- Name: Tijana Radonjic
- Age: 19 years old
- Hometown: Novi Sad, Serbia
- Occupation: Model and Social Media Influencer
- Location of Incident: Budva, Montenegro (Adriatic Sea)
- Date of Incident: Late May (around May 28)
- Cause of Death: Falling from a parasail after reportedly unbuckling her safety harness. The autopsy confirmed the cause of death as severe chest and lung trauma, compounded by drowning.
- Height of Fall: Approximately 50 meters (150–164 feet).
Witness accounts and video footage suggest that Tijana may have suffered a severe panic attack while suspended high above the water. The horrifying decision to unclip her safety belt mid-air, possibly in a desperate attempt to escape what she perceived as danger, led to her catastrophic fall into the sea.
The Shocking Details of Alleged Operator Negligence
While the initial reports focused on the victim's actions—the unbuckling of the harness—the subsequent investigation quickly shifted to the actions and procedures of the parasailing company and its operators. The family and their legal representatives have strongly argued that gross negligence on the part of the boat crew contributed significantly to Tijana's death.
Several critical factors have been highlighted by the ongoing inquiry into the tragedy:
- The 4-Minute Delay: It was reported that the boat operators—a Serbian and a Turkish national—took a devastatingly long four minutes to reach Tijana after she fell into the Adriatic Sea. This delay is a central point of the negligence claim, as immediate rescue is paramount in water sports accidents.
- Unqualified Personnel: Reports indicated that the two individuals operating the boat did not have legal residency in Montenegro, raising questions about their qualifications, training, and adherence to local maritime safety regulations.
- The Promotional Shoot Context: The activity was a promotional shoot for a local parasailing business, suggesting a possible prioritization of filming and marketing over the strict safety protocols required for high-altitude water sports.
- Prior Incidents: An attorney representing the family stated that the same company that organized Tijana’s flight was allegedly involved in a previous incident, further fueling concerns about the firm's operational safety standards.
The combination of a panic-induced fall and a delayed, potentially inadequate rescue effort underscores the critical need for mandatory, rigorous training for all water sports operators, especially in popular tourist destinations like Budva.
The Lingering Legal and Safety Epilogue
As of late 2025, the legal epilogue to Tijana Radonjic's death remains a source of tension and uncertainty. Despite the public outcry and the clear evidence pointing to a delayed response, a final court verdict or "presuda" has not been widely publicized. The investigation continues to determine the full extent of the criminal liability of the boat operators and the parasailing company.
This case serves as a stark, high-profile reminder of the inherent risks in adventure tourism and the critical importance of robust safety infrastructure. For travelers considering activities like parasailing, the tragedy highlights several key takeaways:
- Verify Operator Credentials: Always confirm that the parasailing firm is licensed, insured, and has a strong safety record. Inquire about the training and experience of the boat crew.
- Understand the Equipment: Be fully briefed on the harness, safety mechanisms, and emergency procedures. Ask if the harness is designed with an anti-panic mechanism that prevents accidental unbuckling.
- Assess Your Mental State: Parasailing involves being suspended hundreds of feet in the air. Individuals prone to panic, anxiety, or claustrophobia should seriously reconsider participating in such activities.
- The Role of Waivers: While a waiver of liability is standard for water sports, it does not absolve a company of gross negligence. Families, like Tijana's, often pursue legal action based on failures in safety procedures and supervision, regardless of signed documents.
The tragedy of Tijana Radonjic is a somber chapter in Montenegro's tourism history, forcing a painful re-evaluation of safety protocols. The outcome of the ongoing legal battle will set a crucial precedent for water sports accountability in the region, hopefully ensuring that no other tourist or young professional meets a similar fate due to negligence on the water. The memory of the 19-year-old model who fell from the sky remains a powerful call for global safety standards to be universally enforced.
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