Mom Falls 300 Feet to Her Death While Taking a Selfie With Son

A mom slipped, fell, and died from a 300-foot tower while trying to take a selfie with her son. Yes, you read that right. A birthday trip turned into tragedy because of one photo.

Here’s what went down: Elizaveta Gushchina, 45, had just finished a rope jump with her 22-year-old son from a 289-foot chimney in Pavlovsk, near St. Petersburg. Both jumps were fine. They survived the extreme stunt. But the danger didn’t end there.

They climbed back up to the platform to celebrate. She wanted a photo with her son, just a quick selfie. Reports said she clipped herself to a rope but didn’t set it at the safe length. The platform was wet. She slipped, fell, and that was it. Dead in seconds.

And the worst part? Her son was right there, watching. This was supposed to be his birthday gift for her. She had just turned 45 the day before.

Image credit: Canva Pro

Her extreme sports club confirmed the accident and said the whole team is mourning her. Authorities are now checking if the jump site even followed safety rules.

Now let’s pause. Because if you think about it, how many times have we done the same thing? Climb a rock for that perfect view. Step close to the edge for a photo. Ask someone to snap “one more” even if it feels risky. It doesn’t even have to be extreme sports. Sometimes it’s just a cliff by the beach or a rooftop shot.

Filipinos love their travel photos. We dress up, we line up, we even wait for golden hour. But this story is a brutal reminder: no selfie is worth your life. Check your footing. Secure your gear. Look around before striking that pose.

Because memories are great, but staying alive to tell the story is even better.

Featured image credit: Canva Pro and @tommaomaoer | Unsplash