Russian Athlete Dies in Fall From Tower While Attempting Photo
PAVLOVSK, RUSSIA – Elizaveta Gushchina, a 45-year-old Russian extreme sports enthusiast, died Sunday after falling approximately 90 meters (nearly 300 feet) from an old boiler tower in Pavlovsk. The tragedy occurred while Gushchina was attempting to take a photograph with her son, Nikita, 23, following a prosperous bungee jump.
Gushchina, an experienced bungee jumper and mother of two, had traveled to the tower with her son to celebrate her birthday with an extreme sports outing. After completing a jump and recording a video of the experience, she reportedly climbed to the highest point of the tower without safety equipment specifically to capture a photograph. According to Russian Ministry of Defense television channel Zvezda, she slipped and fell in front of her son, dying instantly.
“In tragic circumstances,Liza,experienced jumping and mother of two children died,” a statement released by the extreme sports company involved read.”Elizaveta Gushchina, along with her son Nikita, is part of our sports team. The entire team regrets this loss. It is a great tragedy for us.”
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding Gushchina’s death and to assess whether safety regulations were followed during the activity. The incident highlights the inherent risks associated with extreme sports and the importance of adhering to safety protocols, even when seemingly posing for a photograph.
