Russian social media boss, 39, killed in Arctic ‘accident’
A pair high executives from ‘Russian Facebook’ had been killed yesterday after their off-road amphibious all-terrain car (ATV) flipped over in a raging Arctic river.
Deputy CEO of VK Vladimir Gabrielyan, 39, and the social media company’s buying director Sergey Merzlyakov, 44, died after a failed try to cross the Bolshoy Bugryanets river in the Nenets Autonomous District of Arkangelsk, northern Russia.
The present of the river flipped their car over and smashed it in opposition to rocks because it was swept away.
The duo managed to free themselves from their car however succumbed to ‘hypothermia’ as a consequence of their sodden garments and temperatures hovering round zero levels celsius, in keeping with studies.
Rescuers this morning discovered their our bodies on the financial institution of the river.
Gabrielyan’s spouse Elena and their buddy Sergey Olsevich, who had been following the pair in a second ATV which was additionally turned over by the river’s present, miraculously survived after strolling some 16 miles to achieve the hut of a reindeer herder and lift the alarm.
Gabrielyan’s broken ATV is pictured mendacity on the financial institution of the Bolshoy Bugryanets river in northern Russia after it flipped making an attempt to cross the water
Vladimir Gabrielyan, 39 (L), and Sergey Merzlyakov, 44, high executives of Russian social media big VK, tragically died throughout the Arctic journey in Nenets Autonomous area on June 6
Gabrielyan’s spouse Elena miraculously survived after strolling some 16 miles to achieve the hut of a reindeer herder and lift the alarm
Rescuers this morning discovered their our bodies on the financial institution of the river
Multi-millionaire Gabrielyan and his posse had been exploring northern Russia’s distant Kanin peninsula in the Nenets area in a pair of Sherp ATVs.
The deadly incident happened round 5pm native time yesterday when Gabrielyan determined the automobiles would be capable of cross the river regardless of its sturdy present.
Radioing again to the second ATV, the social media exec insisted the ATV would be capable of handle the circumstances and advised his spouse Elena and Olsevich to comply with him, earlier than plunging into the water.
‘I used to be ready on the shore, and after 10 minutes they [radioed] me that I used to be to comply with them,’ Olsevich advised Russian media outlet Baza this morning.
‘I drove to the river and floated behind them down the river.
‘A couple of minutes later, Vladimir advised me that the river was very harmful, and that I have to be cautious.’
Both ATVs had been subsequently flipped over by the river’s unrelenting present, destroying Olsevich’s satellite tv for pc telephone and making it inconceivable to name for assist.
‘Me and Elena received out and the satellite tv for pc telephone drowned,’ Olsevich continued.
‘The hi fi was nonetheless working, however no-one was in contact.’
Gabrielyan was identified to take common journeys to the wilderness with family and friends (Gabrielyan household image from an analogous journey in May 2022)
Gabrielyan household are pictured with a Sherp ATV car in May 2022. This car was possible one of many two concerned in the deadly accident yesterday
Gabrielyan had been on the board of VK since March, and deputy CEO since 2019
‘This morning it grew to become identified that Vladimir Gabrielyan and Sergey Merzlyakov (pictured) died because of a tragic accident,’ social media company VK mentioned in an announcement immediately
Baza reported that Olsevich and Elena tried to achieve Gabrielyan and Merzlyakov by way of radio a number of extra occasions, however circumstances had been such that they may not mount a seek for their car.
Stranded in the distant peninsula, the pair reportedly hiked round 16 miles alongside the shoreline till they got here throughout the hut of a reindeer herder, who sheltered them in a single day till the Ministry of Emergency Situations dispatched a rescue get together early this morning.
Baza reported that the closest rescue helicopter was in situated in the area’s administrative centre Naryan-Mar some 250 miles away from the scene of the accident, forcing the Ministry to delay the rescue operation.
VK – Russia’s largest social media platform which operates a mannequin much like Facebook – mentioned in an announcement immediately: ‘This morning it grew to become identified that Vladimir Gabrielyan and Sergey Merzlyakov died because of a tragic accident.
‘We mourn with their household, mates and family members. Vladimir and Sergey will without end stay a part of our workforce.’
Gabrielyan had been on the board of VK since March, and deputy CEO since 2019.
