"Is our life worth just one photo?" she had written on Instagram recently, almost like a premonition. A travel-obsessed and thrill-loving couple recently fell to their death in California's Yosemite National Park. Shocking photos before death show that they were trying to take a selfie...
Shocking photos before death reveal how couple died
Vishnu Viswanath, 29, and Meenakshi Moorthy, 30 were travel enthusiasts and adrenaline junkies who frequently blogged about their adventures on a website called 'Holidays and Happily Ever Afters'.
Last week, the couple were found dead after apparently falling from Taft Point in Yosemite National Park. Their bodies were recovered on 1 Nov 2018 by park rangers.
It seems that, the couple were trying to take a selfie on a ledge when the tragedy happened. There are no railings on the ledge.
Ironically, in one of her Instagram posts this year, Meenakshi had written, "A lot of us including yours truly is a fan of daredevilry attempts of standing at the edge of cliffs and skyscrapers, but did you know that wind gusts can be FATAL??? Is our life just worth one photo?"
Sean Matteson, who saw the couple atop Taft Point, has been quoted as saying, "She was very close to the edge, but it looked like she was enjoying herself. She gave me the willies. There aren’t any railings."
"I was not about to get that close to the edge. But she seemed comfortable. She didn’t seem like she was in distress or anything.”
Officials are now investigating the deaths.
The sad truth about selfie deaths and how to avoid them
According to a study, more than 250 people worldwide have died taking selfies in the last six years. This is really sad, considering that the tragedy is completely avoidable and purely man-made.
And why are people going to extreme lengths just for that elusive selfie? So they can get a few extra likes on Facebook or Instagram?
The study's lead author Dr Agam Bansal, from the India Institute of Medical Sciences, says, "Selfies are themselves not harmful, but the human behaviour that accompanies selfies is dangerous."
"Individuals need to be educated regarding certain risky behaviours and risky places where selfies should not be taken."
Death by selfie has become such a common phenomenon that researchers are now trying to figure out ways to stop them.
"'No selfie zones' should be declared across many areas, especially near water bodies, mountain peaks, and over tall buildings, to decrease the incidence of selfie-related deaths", says Dr Bansal.
Most dangerous selfie areas
Be especially careful when trying to take selfies while:
- Standing on a mountain or cliff
The most number of selfie deaths have occurred due to people falling from heights.
Avoid any experiments on a high-rise building, roof, bridge or cliff, and avoid going too close to the edge. Have a firm footing before attempting to take a selfie, and do not lean out too far.
- Standing too close to water bodies, like for example, standing on top of a waterfall.
One leading cause of death by selfie is drowning.
- Selfie while on the go
Don't take selfies while walking or driving. Avoid places with fast moving vehicles.
And avoid selfies on railway tracks or trains.
- Standing too close to wildlife
Lastly, remember to love yourself more than your selfie.
Also READ: Baby falls to death from escalator reminding us to never neglect child safety