Teenager Andrey Retrovsky was known for his thrill-seeking nature, often capturing selfies in perilous situations. Tragically, his passion for extreme photography led to his untimely death in 2015.
Retrovsky, a high school senior from Russia, was contemplating his future university plans, as reported by Yahoo News. His social media accounts were filled with images of him dangling from high-rise buildings and positioning himself in dangerously precarious spots. This trend of extreme selfies is quite popular among thrill-seekers, despite the obvious dangers. Today, such content has found a new platform on TikTok, where users post videos of themselves performing hazardous stunts for online acclaim.
In September 2015, Retrovsky and a friend scaled a nine-story building in Vologda. According to News.com.au, their goal was to create an illusion of Retrovsky falling from the building by using ropes to suspend him off the side. Unfortunately, the rope failed, causing him to plummet to the ground.
Remarkably, Retrovsky’s fall was partially cushioned by bushes, preventing an immediate fatality. However, despite being swiftly transported to the hospital, his injuries were too severe, and he succumbed to them two hours later, as confirmed by Russian authorities.
Retrovsky’s tragic demise underscores the significant risks associated with extreme selfies. Such fatalities are more frequent than one might expect, prompting a spike in deaths in Russia and leading to the initiation of a safe selfie campaign aimed at discouraging such dangerous behavior.
An illustrated booklet was distributed to raise awareness about the dangers of taking extreme selfies. Despite these efforts, fatalities continue to occur globally as individuals chase viral fame through risky and often deadly stunts.
