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Terrifying footage shows man narrowly escaping death after his head almost gets chopped off by elevator

The incident occurred in an apartment building where the residents had been complaining about the 'shaking' elevator for weeks

Warning: This article contains disturbing footage that could be traumatic for some readers. Discretion is advised

KRASNODAR, RUSSIA: A viral video has surfaced online that shows the terrifying moment a person narrowly escapes death after his head almost gets chopped off in a dysfunctional elevator in Russia. Footage of the frightening video has since gone viral and has blown up on different social media platforms as people praise the survivor's presence of mind and quick reflexes. The incident occurred in an apartment in Krasnodar, where the residents had been complaining about the 'shaking' elevator for weeks. 

Although the superintendent came for repairing the elevator last week, it was still not working properly. The clip starts in a normal fashion showing the man getting in the elevator in a building while looking at his phone. However, within seconds, the elevator starts accending with its half-opened doors, much to his surprise and horror. Subsequently, he was forced to dive backward as the elevator shot up. His presence of mind and quick action deflected a major accident. 

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It is not clear though what caused the malfunction but bystanders claimed that there was a loud roar, smoke, and even a fire alarm just after the incident. Representatives of the mayor of Krasnodar have since asked to launch a probe into the organization responsible for servicing elevators in the region. 

MEAWW previously reported that a teen college prep football player was crushed to death in a freak accident. JauMarcus McFarland, 18, who went to Champion Prep Academy, died after he was crushed by the elevator installed in 444 Highland Avenue Student Housing. The cause was a malfunctioning elevator, which was reportedly overdue for an inspection, that went into a free-fall in an Atlanta high-rise building on August 31, last year. The deceased's horrified teammates bore witness to the fatal incident.

The incident took place as he and his teammates were making their way to practice and boarded the elevator. It went into freefall as he was trying to exit it, trapping, and crushing him. Three players boarded the elevator on the upper floor of the building. Soon after, the elevator felt as if it was beginning to fall before it stopped and opened normally on the third floor. Two of the three players walked out on the third floor but before McFarland could get out, the elevator began free-falling. He was pinned between a wall and the elevator car in the shaft for nearly an hour until help arrived. Atlanta police confirmed officers responded to assist fire and rescue personnel after receiving reports of a person being trapped and crushed in the elevator. Atlanta Fire Rescue Department, which arrived on the scene and said in a report the student was 'not alert' but 'breathing' when the extrication was completed.