A 45-year-old mother tragically fell to her death while trying to take a selfie with her son at the top of a nearly 300-foot tower in Pavlovsk, Russia.

Elizaveta Gushchina died Saturday after slipping from a platform moments after completing a successful bungee jump, prompting an official investigation by Russian authorities, New York Post reported.

Gushchina, a mother of two and an experienced extreme sports enthusiast, had just performed a daring bungee jump from a 289-foot-high chimney at an unfinished thermal power station near St. Petersburg. The jump, arranged as a birthday gift by her 22-year-old son, Nikita, had gone as planned. Adrenaline still high, the two returned to the top of the platform to capture the moment for posterity.

Tragedy struck shortly after their return to the tower. According to local media, Gushchina attached herself to a rope typically used in rope jumping — not bungee jumping — but failed to adjust it to a secure length. As she moved near the edge of the platform, she reportedly slipped on a wet board and plummeted to her death, landing on a hard surface below.

Grieving son watched the accident unfold in real time

The incident played out in front of her son, who is also a member of the same bungee sports club. Witness accounts indicate that Nikita had gifted the jump to his mother to celebrate her 45th birthday, which she had celebrated just a day earlier. What should have been a cherished memory quickly turned tragic as he watched his mother slip and fall.

Russian outlet REN TV shared that Gushchina failed to properly set the safety length of the rope she hastily used. “She secured herself to a rope used for rope jumping, but did not set the required safe length. Then, approaching the edge, the woman slipped on a wet board, fell from a height, and died,” a source told the outlet.

The incident unfolded at the top of a structure at an abandoned power facility, a popular site for adventurers but one that raises serious safety concerns. A video shared on Telegram showed Gushchina moments before her successful jump earlier that day, when she was pushed off the platform in what appeared to be a routine experience for thrill-seekers.

Investigation into safety protocol now underway

In the aftermath of the incident, local authorities have launched an investigation to determine whether the facility complied with safety regulations. Questions are being raised about whether staff on the site adequately supervised participants, especially when gear was being used outside its intended purpose.

The extreme sports club to which Gushchina belonged released a heartfelt public statement on Sunday. “Yesterday, under tragic circumstances, experienced jumper and mother of two children, Liza, passed away,” it read. They also noted that both she and her son were well-known within their tight-knit community.

“Elizaveta Gushchina, along with her son Nikita, is a member of our sports team. Now the entire team is mourning this loss. This is a very big tragedy for us,” the group continued.

Lack of professional oversight raises concerns

Many are now questioning the protocols in place at such high-risk activity sites, especially when thrill-seekers return to platforms unsupervised. Though the initial jump appeared to have been managed appropriately, the events that followed suggest a concerning lapse in oversight.

The fact that Gushchina used rope jumping gear incorrectly and without the harness she had used moments prior further underscores the need for professional limits on post-jump activities. Some experts suggest regulated zones with restricted access may have prevented the accident altogether.

As the investigation continues, her death serves as a reminder that even seasoned adventurers are vulnerable to unpredictable hazards — especially when circumstances lead to rushed or unsupervised decisions.

Lessons to Learn From This Tragedy

While accidents can never be entirely prevented, there are steps individuals and facilities can take to reduce risk:

1. Know your equipment and its purpose: Rope jumping and bungee jumping require different setups and safety procedures. Always use gear according to its specific function, and never make changes without professional oversight.
2. Never go unsupervised: Returning to a high-risk area like a jump platform should only be done under staff supervision. Accidents often occur during moments that seem innocent, such as photo-taking, when attention to safety may lapse.
3. Respect changing conditions: Wet surfaces, especially near heights, are dangerous. Environmental conditions can quickly transform an adventurous moment into a life-threatening situation.

It’s important to recognize that no matter the precautions taken, incidents like these can still happen. This is not the fault of the victim. Instead, it highlights the importance of systemic safeguards and professional management in extreme sports settings.

Why This Story Matters

This story is a powerful reminder of the ever-present risks in extreme sports. It sparks important conversations about how facilities enforce safety measures and handle participant supervision. Communities must prioritize awareness and accountability to help prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Conclusion

Elizaveta Gushchina, celebrating her 45th birthday, died after returning to the top of a 289-foot tower in Pavlovsk to take a photo with her son following a successful bungee jump. A slip on a wet board, combined with improperly secured gear, resulted in her fatal fall. Her son, who had gifted her the bungee experience and was present during the tragedy, is among those mourning her loss.

The extreme sports club they belonged to praised her as an experienced jumper and expressed deep sorrow over the loss. Russian authorities have launched an investigation into the site's safety standards. As the facts continue to unfold, this heartbreaking incident serves as a sobering lesson in the importance of proper oversight, equipment use, and environmental awareness in high-risk recreational settings.