Horror as weightlifter killed after barbell crashes onto his chest

A heavy barbell slipped out of Ronald Montenegro’s hands and it crashed down on his chest (Image: Cultural Center Palace of Giant Puppets of Olinda)

An amateur weightlifter was killed in a horror accident while bench-pressing during a gym workout. A heavy barbell slipped out of Ronald Montenegro’s hands and it crashed down on his chest as he was working out at a gym in Olinda, Brazil, on Monday, December 1. Police launched an investigation but concluded it was an accident.

Workers and other gym users rushed to help the 55-year-old after he managed to free himself before collapsing to the ground seconds later. Mr Montenegro, a museum manager, was taken to a nearby health centre but there was nothing medics could do to save the "much loved" dad-of-two.

He was president of a famous museum in Olinda which contains a giant paper mâché and cloth puppets, about 15 feet tall and weighing as much as 45 kilos.

The museum, known as the Palacio dos Bonecos Gigantes, said in a statement alongside a photo of Ronald and a black ribbon: "It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Ronald Montenegro, our president and an indispensable figure in the history and construction of the Palacio dos Bonecos.

"Today we have lost not only a leader, but a friend, a creator, a passionate defender of popular culture, and one of the people most responsible for keeping alive the tradition of giant puppets that enchant Olinda and the world.

"His dedication, vision, and love for carnival have marked generations and will live on in every detail of our work."

The gym, RW Academia, also posted a tribute and a photo of Mr Montenegro on social media. It said in a statement: "It is with deep sadness and dismay that RW Academia expresses its solidarity with the passing of our student Ronald Jose Salvador."

The gym said its entire team provided "immediate assistance" and called for "specialised help".

It added: "Despite all efforts, we received the news of his passing with immense sorrow. We extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends, wishing them strength and comfort at this time of immeasurable grief.

"Ronald Jose Salvador will always be remembered with respect and affection by all who were part of his journey in our community."

A relative who asked not to be identified told Brazilian media Mr Montenegro trained regularly to keep fit.

Speaking as CCTV footage emerged showing the heavy barbell slipping out of his hands and falling onto his chest, the family member said: "This is a workout that requires a trainer.

"In the video, you can see that he is fine, that he even does a session, warms up his arms to do it again, and when he sits down, he can't do it and the bar slips.

"What we want is for gyms to look at the issue of prevention in relation to this equipment. Trainers cannot let students do it on their own, even if they know how to do the movement."

A weightlifter was unable to breathe when a 230lb barbell fell on him at a gym in Taoyuan City, Taiwan, in September last year.

It was not until the bodybuilder started frantically twitching his legs that a man rushed over to lift the weight from his neck. He was taken to hospital for treatment after staff called the emergency services.

In September 2023, a 27-year-old man in China died after his neck was crushed between the shaft of a barbell loaded with over 100kg of weights and the training bench he was lying on.

It wasn't made immediately clear how much weight the Brazilian man killed in the latest tragedy had been trying to bench-press.