Teen girl taking a selfie on rail tracks 'cut into pieces' after being hit by freight train
A teenager in Russia was "cut into pieces" as she was trying to take a selfie in front of an oncoming freight train, reports said.
The 15-year-old victim was identified as Karina Baymukhambetova; the incident took place in Orsk in the province of Orenburg Oblast
Reports state that an unidentified boy was with the unlucky girl when the incident occurred, but he managed to jump away from the tracks just in time, saving his life. The boy is believed to be a relative of the girl, the Daily Mail reported.
The driver of the train had reportedly applied the emergency brake when he spotted people on the line, however, the engine could not stop in time. The boy had reportedly warned Karina of the danger, however, she responded with: "Be afraid of nothing in life."
A local media report stated: "The train driver spotted people on the railway line and sounded his horn. He applied the train's emergency brakes but failed to stop the train in time to avoid a tragedy. The boy managed to jump away. But the girl was not so lucky and was hit by the train which cut her body into pieces."
Karina's family and relatives in Orsk, a city at the southern tip of the Ural Mountains, took to social media shortly after her death to express their grief.
Karina's friend Anastasia Meshkova wrote: "We remember, we love, we grieve."
While her family friend Lena Dzyuba wrote: "Such grief. How her mother cried, my heart almost broke into pieces, so awful."
Karina's other friend Anna Lakamaeva, while referring to the girl's 39-year-old mother Natalia, said: "Eternal memory to your little angel."
Authorities have reportedly not reached a decision on whether to open a criminal case into Karina's death.
Transport police senior youth liaison inspector, Denis Khnykin, while issuing a warning to parents in the region said: "I ask you to pay your attention once again and to warn your relatives. Please remind them of the fact that railways are dangerous both for your health and life."
The officer added that children and teachers are increasingly ignoring warning signs on railway tracks. Over recent months, two 14-year-olds reportedly suffered electric shocks in separate incidents after trespassing on rail tracks.
Orsk social policy chief, Elena Zaporozhskaya, said: "Children need to be able to say 'no' when something is risky for their life and health. It is a hard thing to learn but necessary. Secondly, I want parents to know where their children are and with whom they are spending time. People must protect the lives and health of their children."