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THE HEIGHT OF STUPIDITY

Inside rooftopping – the dangerous craze which sees people perform death-defying stunts for Instagram and YouTube fame

But what exactly motivates people to risk life and limb by dangling off the edge of some of the world's tallest skyscrapers?

A DANGEROUS craze called rooftopping is seeing young adults dangle off the side of buildings and risk plunging to their deaths, in the quest for social media fame.

Also known as urban exploration, the trend sees self-confessed skywalkers scale to the top of terrifyingly tall buildings in pursuit of the perfect photo.

Angelina Nikolau hit headlines when she spent weeks travelling the world last year - and rooftopping some of the globe's highest buildings
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Angelina Nikolau hit headlines when she spent weeks travelling the world last year - and rooftopping some of the globe's highest buildingsCredit: CEN
While Brit Harry Gallagher, who posts on the YouTube channel Night Scape, is raking in cash by selling hoodies and other merchandise on his website
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While Brit Harry Gallagher, who posts on the YouTube channel Night Scape, is raking in cash by selling hoodies and other merchandise on his websiteCredit: Instagram

Despite several well-publicised deaths resulting from the stunts – models, bloggers and YouTube stars continue to risk life and limb for the scary snaps.

The pictures may look impressive – but none of the posers wear harnesses, meaning a small slip would certainly lead to sudden death.

Andrey Retrovsky is one of the most notoriously tragic cases.

Two years ago, the 17-year-old fell nine stories to his death while filming for his Instagram account in Russia – where the trend is absolutely huge.

So what exactly is the appeal of daring with death? For some aspiring celebs, it can raise their profiles.

Angelina now has 400,000 followers on Instagram, after her tour of the south east
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Angelina now has 400,000 followers on Instagram, after her tour of the south eastCredit: CEN
Rooftopping is a trend which sees thrill seekers pose as closely as possible to a building's edge, despite the risk of falling off
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Rooftopping is a trend which sees thrill seekers pose as closely as possible to a building's edge, despite the risk of falling offCredit: CEN

Fellow Russian thrill-seeker Angelina Nikolau, 23, spent weeks travelling around China, Hong Kong and her home of Moscow to pose for these jaw-dropping images last year.

As a result, the stunning star made headlines across the globe. However, the more high-profile the pictures, the bigger the risk.

Russian Playboy model Viki Odintcova was hauled in for a police warning after dangling off the 1,000ft-tall Cayan Tower, also known as Infinity Tower, in Dubai in February.

Russian Playboy model Viki Odintcova dangled off the edge of the 1,000ft-tall Cayan Tower, also known as Infinity Tower, in Dubai
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Russian Playboy model Viki Odintcova dangled off the edge of the 1,000ft-tall Cayan Tower, also known as Infinity Tower, in DubaiCredit: Instagram
The stunt got Viki Odintcova a police caution, as well as a telling off from her dad
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The stunt got Viki Odintcova a police caution, as well as a telling off from her dadCredit: CEN

It isn’t just attention these youngsters are after. By recording videos on Go Pros and posting them online, Vloggers can make thousands of pounds from a single viral video.

And it's not just the thrill-seeking models who profit from their daredevil antics.

Photographer Mar Shirasuna, from Japan, has been shooting his project Beauty and NYC for three years, and he reckons he's been on more than 150 rooftops in the process.

The photo series, shot in New York, sees scantily-clad models posing dangerously close to the edge of some of the city's tallest buildings.

This photo series, taken in New York City, saw scores of models posing dangerously close to the edge of buildings - wearing nothing but their underwear
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This photo series, taken in New York City, saw scores of models posing dangerously close to the edge of buildings - wearing nothing but their underwearCredit: Instagram

While a quick search on YouTube brings up thousands of viral videos, and the video sharing site take a 45 per cent cut of the profits.

YouTube is yet to ban the stomach-churning, vertigo-inducing videos and now the scary trend is spreading to Britain.

The craze was born in Russia, but has spread to Britain. This stunt was captured on camera in Plymouth, on the building site of what will be the tallest building in the south west
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The craze was born in Russia, but has spread to Britain. This stunt was captured on camera in Plymouth, on the building site of what will be the tallest building in the south westCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

Earlier this month, four youngsters climbed to the top of the the scaffolding of what is set to be the tallest building in the south west – at a construction site in Plymouth, Devon.

While, back in February, east Londoner Harry Gallagher, 19, hit headlines for scaling to the roof of London’s second highest skyscraper, One Canada Square, in Canary Wharf.

Harry scaled London’s second highest skyscraper, One Canada Square, back in February
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Harry scaled London’s second highest skyscraper, One Canada Square, back in FebruaryCredit: Youtube

The teen, who posts on the channel Night Scape, has now set his sights on the world’s tallest building – Dubai’s Burj Khalifa.

Harry is clearly an ambitious young man, cashing in on branded T-shirts and hoodies on his website, and he’s not the only one looking to conquer London’s highest buildings.

Hampshire lad James Kingston, 26, made a name for himself when he climbed up Wembley Arch – as well as doing gymnastics on top of CRANES.

Hampshire lad James Kingston conquered Wembley - and has made a name for himself by performing gymnastics on cranes
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Hampshire lad James Kingston conquered Wembley - and has made a name for himself by performing gymnastics on cranesCredit: Rex Features
YouTube star Oleg Sherstayachenko performs his morning workouts dangling off buildings
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YouTube star Oleg Sherstayachenko performs his morning workouts dangling off buildingsCredit: YouTube / olegcricket

In an increasingly saturated market, people are now going to greater lengths to stand out.

YouTube star Oleg Sherstayachenko, 26, went viral in March after sharing a clip of his crazy morning workout – dangling off a tiny ledge on the edge of a building.

Only time will tell what terrifying lengths the social media stars turn to next, and whether they will survive their dances with death.

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