A 53-year-old Russian tourist, Perminova Olga, tragically lost her life after falling off the Badulla-Colombo Podimanike train while attempting to take a selfie near Hali Ela today, police confirmed.
The incident occurred between Badulla and Hali Ela railway stations when Olga, who was hanging from the train’s footboard, struck a rock and fell onto the tracks, suffering severe head injuries.
She was initially taken to the Hali Ela Railway Station before being transferred to Badulla Teaching Hospital, where medical personnel, led by senior officer Dr. Palitha Rajapaksa, provided emergency treatment. Despite their efforts, she succumbed to her injuries.
Olga had arrived in Sri Lanka with a group of foreign tourists and boarded the train at Badulla Railway Station earlier in the day, heading towards Ella when the fatal accident occurred.
Authorities have repeatedly warned travelers against the dangers of hanging onto train footboards, a practice that has led to several accidents, especially among tourists seeking scenic photographs along Sri Lanka’s picturesque rail routes.
