WARNING: This article contains information some readers may find distressing
A man dressed up as Father Christmas tragically lost his life after falling from the top of a high-rise building in Russia.
The festive season is meant to be a lot of joy, and it will be for a lot of folks, but those in attendance in the Russian city of Chelyabinsk will certainly be left shocked and hurt this Christmas.
Advert
A man dressed as a Russian Santa Claus - known as Grandfather Frost - had intended to climb down a high-rise building on ropes and greet the excited children at the bottom.
Many gathered around a Christmas tree at the bottom of the huge building, including the man's own child and partner.
But tragically, those in attendance watched in horror as he fell more than 240ft to his death.
At the time, many thought the horror fall was all part of the stunt, as many onlookers didn't realize he had died straight away.
Reports have since stated that the tragedy happened because of a mixup with the ropes, ultimately leading to the man's tragic passing.
Advert
"My son didn’t understand anything, others understood and they left in hysterics. All the parents, naturally, are in shock," one person who was in attendance in Chelyabinsk said.
While another eyewitness added: "Everyone was having fun, and no-one could even think this would happen. I thought until the last minute that it was some kind of dummy, that it was a prank. The festivities carried on. There was at first no suspicion that this was a tragedy."
They were not the only people to speak to local media following the tragedy, with another Chelyabinsk resident adding: "My husband and son were there. There were many witnesses there, including children. For now, no-one knows why he fell.
"Climbers wash the windows in our apartment block - and there has never been a single emergency."
Advert
Russian state investigators arrived at the scene after the man had died, and they are currently looking into a possible violation of safety rules surrounding the incident.
The residential management company that staged the event claim the man was an 'experienced specialist'.
They said in a statement: "Today’s holiday turned into a monstrous misfortune. An industrial climber dressed as Grandfather Frost [Santa Claus] fell while descending from his house and died.
"We will do everything in our power to help the police understand the reasons and never allow this to happen again."
Topics: Christmas, News, World News, Russia