Ride down ski slope in giant inflatable ball turns deadly in Russia

[Phurfur 70]

MOSCOW What was supposed to be a thrilling ride down a ski slope inside a giant inflatable ball ended in tragedy for the two Russian men inside.

 

The transparent plastic ball -- called a zorb -- veered off course and sailed over a precipice in the rugged Caucasus Mountains of southern Russia. One man died and the other was badly injured. The terrifying ride was captured on video.

 

The man who died, 27-year-old Denis Burakov, was with friends at the Dombai ski resort, where they frequently went snowboarding, on Jan. 3 when he decided to take a ride in a zorb being operated next to a beginners' slope. His friend Vladimir Shcherbakov joined him.

 

An eight-minute video taken on Burakov's phone by one of his friends shows the two men being fitted into harnesses inside the zorb, which consists of two polyurethane balls with a layer of air between them. The zorb is then released to roll down the hill, the two men spinning inside.

 

But the zorb bounces off of the intended path, and a man waiting for it at the bottom of the hill tries in vain to catch the ball before it pops over a rocky ledge and disappears down a gorge below Mount Mussa-Achitara.

 

The Emergencies Ministry said both men were ejected from the zorb as it tumbled and they landed on the snow about 10 meters (30 feet) apart. They were rescued by two skiers, who then pulled both men up to the top of the hill. Burakov suffered serious spinal injuries and died on the way to the hospital. Shcherbakov suffered a concussion and other injuries and remains hospitalized.

 

 

 

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/01/09/ride-down-ski-slope-in-giant-inflatable-ball-turns-deadly-in-russia/#ixzz2HUsrgg5p

 

 

Video

 

http://www.3news.co.nz/VIDEO-Zorb-death-at-Russian-ski-resort/tabid/313/articleID/282433/Default.aspx?ref=video

[NorthernVike 2,080]

[posty 2,296]

Well that is how the zorb bounces...

[shovelheadt 62]

Rode on one of these in TN, but it was the water version. Instead of strapping you in, they fill the middle with a couple gallons of water and you just kind of rock back and forth as it flies down the mountain. Check out this reporter get focked up by a Zorb.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fJwGlnpeT4

[ens189 1]

Wow...

[kutulu 1,547]

In Russia, the ball bounces you.

[BunnysBastatrds 1,919]

Nice.

[Frank M 181]

Darwin at work.

 

"Hey, let's get inside this inflatable ball and roll down part of a hill that leads to a precipitous drop with no way to stop us if we go off course!"

 

"Cool!"

[DankNuggs 305]

Didn't properly read the grain and slope of the putt and lipped out...

[JackARoot 2]

Gutter ball

[smashmouths@blf 33]

That poor bastard at the bottom who tried to stop the ball multiple times had to be crappin his pants. He sure moved "swiftly" in the snow.

[frank 2,145]

In Russia, the ball bounces you.

 

Dammit. I should have thought of that.

[frank 2,145]

Video

 

http://www.3news.co.nz/VIDEO-Zorb-death-at-Russian-ski-resort/tabid/313/articleID/282433/Default.aspx?ref=video

So, they both have serious spinal injuries and two skiers just drag them up a hill ?

Brilliant!

[Franknbeans 46]

Rode on one of these in TN, but it was the water version. Instead of strapping you in, they fill the middle with a couple gallons of water and you just kind of rock back and forth as it flies down the mountain. Check out this reporter get focked up by a Zorb.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fJwGlnpeT4

I enjoyed top comment numero uno...

 

isnt the first time she has taken balls to the face ... 

[The Elevator Killer 497]

In Russia, the ball bounces you.

 

[montana 89]

http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DygQvB6OjHOU&sa=X&ei=EgXvULnBHOuN0QGb4oFg&ved=0CDwQuAIwAA&usg=AFQjCNH4DPiP3tmIJ4QkALzJ5MuxpgQTeQ

[Chronic Husker 85]

In Russia, the ball bounces you.

 

Unfortunately, this will prolly be poty.

 

[ROCKFORD 134]

i think zorbs may give lawn darts a run for the money as most dangerous toy.