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Red-robed Russian ‘Santa Claus’ plunges to death in botched stunt as wife and kids look on
A man dressed in a red robe to look like the Russian version of Santa Claus fell to his death from a high-rise in a botched stunt in front of horrified onlookers, including his wife and kids.
The unidentified climber was attempting to rappel down the side of a 24-story residential building in Chelyabinsk to delight a crowd below when he lost his grip.
Seen lit up by a spotlight, the man plunges onto a snow-covered structure one floor above the ground, killing him in what organizers called “a monstrous misfortune.”
His wife and children were in the structure’s yard during the fall and witnessed his death.
Witnesses initially thought the free fall was part of the stunt and waited for him to emerge and greet their children, according to the news agency e2westnews.
“My son didn’t understand anything,” one observer said. “Others understood, and they left in hysterics. All the parents, naturally, are in shock.”
Another attendee said he assumed the plunging form was a dummy, and that the man was pulling a Christmas prank.
“The festivities carried on,” the witness said. “There was at first no suspicion that this was a tragedy.”
The victim was described as an experienced climber who had somehow arranged his safety ropes improperly.
The building’s management company had organized the event and later issued an apology for the traumatic spectacle.
“Today’s holiday turned into a monstrous misfortune,” they said, according to reports. “An industrial climber dressed as Grandfather Frost fell while descending from his house and died.”
A variation of Santa Claus, Grandfather Frost is a traditional Christmas character popular in Slavic nations.
Known as Ded Moroz in Russian and wearing either a red or blue robe, the bearded man delivers gifts to well-behaved children.
He differs from his Western counterpart in enlisting his daughter to help him with his duties rather than a team of reindeer.
Russian authorities are investigating and could cite safety violations, the reports said.
