In a heartbreaking incident, a mother tragically fell to her death after bungee jumping off an abandoned boiler tower in Pavlovsk, near St. Petersburg, Russia. Elizaveta “Liza” Gushchina, 45, was celebrating her birthday by taking the plunge from a height of 290 feet. While the jump itself was successful and she was heard “screaming with joy,” the tragedy occurred moments after as she attempted to climb back up the tower to snap a selfie.
The Fatal Selfie Attempt
After completing her bungee jump, Liza decided to climb the tower again to capture the moment. However, she did so without attaching any safety ropes. According to Russian outlet REN TV, she secured herself to a rope meant for rope jumping but failed to adjust it to the required safe length. As she neared the edge, she slipped on a wet board and tragically fell to her death.
Woman bungee jumping. Credit / Shutterstock
Son Witnesses the Tragedy
What makes the incident even more devastating is that Liza’s 23-year-old son, Nikita, was present and witnessed the horrific event. He had brought his mother to the bungee jumping facility as a special birthday gift, only to be left in shock as he watched his mother fall.
The rope jumping company operating the facility, 23block, expressed their deep sorrow, stating, “In tragic circumstances, experienced jumper and mother-of-two Liza has passed away. The whole team is mourning her loss; this is a very big tragedy for us.”
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Investigation Underway
The Russian state prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation into the incident. A spokesperson explained that authorities would examine whether the organizers of the bungee jump complied with safety regulations when providing their services.
The tragedy has sparked conversations about safety protocols at extreme sports facilities and the importance of ensuring all safety measures are followed, especially when participating in activities like bungee jumping.
