On May 28, 2025, a tragic accident unfolded over the shimmering waters of the Adriatic Sea in Budva, Montenegro, claiming the life of 19-year-old Serbian model Tijana Radonjic. The young woman, who had been hired to film a promotional parasailing video, fell more than 160 feet after unbuckling her safety harness mid-flight, in what witnesses and authorities believe was a panic attack.
Tijana, originally from Novi Sad, Serbia, was on holiday when she accepted a free parasailing ride offered by a local company representative. The ride was part of a short film intended to boost tourism business ahead of the summer season. Clad in a bikini, Tijana was to soar happily over the Budva Riviera, tethered to a speedboat.
Initial moments of the flight were calm and cheerful. Footage shows Tijana being strapped into her harness and receiving safety instructions. Witnesses reported that she appeared relaxed and happy, waving to friends on the beach before takeoff. However, as the parasail reached an altitude of approximately 150 feet (about 50 meters), a sudden change occurred.
Disturbing videos, published by local media outlets though some refrained from showing the most harrowing moments, reveal Tijana frantically pulling at her life jacket and safety harness. She managed to unbuckle her waist belt and struggled to free herself from the leg straps. Witnesses on the beach heard her screams of "Put me down! Put me down!" and "Help me!" moments before she toppled upside down and plunged headfirst into the sea below.
Emergency responders quickly retrieved Tijana's lifeless body from the water, and paramedics confirmed that the fall was fatal. The parasailing company owner, Mirko Krdzic, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, stating, "I am sorry for the death of the young girl. I hope to meet her parents to express my condolences in person. We are all in shock after the accident that happened." He added, "She did not show any fear of flying, she underwent training, after which the tragedy followed. Technical inspections of all the equipment are underway, and the results of the autopsy are awaited."
The exact cause of Tijana's panic remains unclear. Some local reports suggest she may have suffered a panic attack, while other outlets have not ruled out suicide, though her loved ones strongly dispute this possibility. Friends and family remember her as a vibrant, full-of-life young woman who never cared about others' opinions and was always smiling. A relative posted on social media, "You were brave to try to save your young life, but unfortunately, you didn't succeed."
Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation into the incident. Technical checks on all parasailing equipment are ongoing to ensure safety and to determine if any malfunction could have contributed to the panic. The results of the autopsy are still pending.
Tijana's family has shared a heartbreaking farewell message ahead of her funeral, held on June 2, 2025. They wrote, "We will never come to terms with this, nor accept that you are gone. You will remain in our hearts forever. Our bravest, we love you endlessly and will be missed forever. Rest in peace and may the angels watch over you. Now you are one of them."
Friends from her hometown of Novi Sad also paid tribute. One lifelong friend said, "If I could choose who to spend my childhood with, I would choose you again." Another added, "She was full of life, always smiling. She never cared about what others thought of her."
Budva, known for its long sandy beaches, clear blue sea, and vibrant nightlife, has earned the nickname "the Hawaii of Montenegro," drawing tourists from all over. The parasailing company had hoped the promotional video featuring Tijana would attract more visitors this season.
Despite the tragedy, the parasailing operator maintains that Tijana showed no fear before the flight. The company suspects that she may have been startled by the height or feared a malfunction in the equipment. "Maybe she wasn't aware of the height she was flying at," Krdzic said. "I guess she didn't do it consciously, but in a moment of uncontrollable fear."
The incident has cast a somber shadow over the local tourism community and serves as a stark reminder of the risks inherent in adventure sports, even when safety protocols are followed. As investigators continue their work, the hope remains that lessons learned will prevent such heartbreaking accidents in the future.
