The melody of “Dumb ways to die” plays in the background of a TikTok video. In the clip, you see young people climbing high-voltage pylons in Froland in Agder. – I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything so bad, and it’s life-threatening, says Elisabet Vike Vardheim. She is executive vice president for networks at Statnett, which owns the masts, and is shocked by the content. After seeing the film, they have decided to report the matter to the police. – I just want to say that we are very relieved that things have apparently gone well with those involved in this film, she says. Statnett has chosen to report the case where young people climb high-voltage masts they own, explains Executive Director for Nett, Elisabeth Vike Vardheim. Photo: Per Håkon Solberg Dragging the trend too far The video that was posted in March was filmed by young people from Froland. news learns this from a source who does not wish to be named. He himself posted the youth on his profile, but later deleted it. The TikTok trend they have taken off in is an example of people exposing themselves to injuries, and sometimes very dangerous situations. In this case, the outcome could have been fatal. In the text below the video, they have written “Won the trend” and the subject tag #nærdødenopplesse. – It’s a game where you actually put your life on the line. You are playing with life, says head of the investigation section at Arendal and Froland police station Helge Torsvik. Torsvik can confirm that the police have received the police report, and that they will see if there are grounds to proceed with an investigation into the case. Helge Torsvik is head of the investigation section for Arendal and Froland police station. Photo: Leif Dalen / news – Idiot In the film, one of them moves dangerously close to wires that can carry up to 400,000 volts of current. For comparison, a socket in private homes supplies around 240 volts. – It is not a criminal offense to climb a high-voltage mast in itself, but it is prohibited according to those who own them. At the same time, it is idiotic and particularly dangerous, says Torsvik. In the video, you can see that the young people have climbed far up the mast and are high above the ground. – I don’t think they understand how dangerous it is. I would like to believe that they believe that if they are not in direct contact, you will not get hurt. It is probably a wrong conclusion. One of the young people comes dangerously close to the wiring in the high-voltage mast. Photo: SCREEN dump / TikTok Can take lives from a distance Mayor of Froland municipality, Ove Gundersen, was shown the TikTok video by an acquaintance, but has not received any inquiries on the matter. – This is a life-threatening sport, and I strongly encourage not to approach such masters. He tells news that he does not know the rules for mounting such masts and what obstacles have been created here, but hopes that the owners of the masts can clarify this. – The powerful voltage that runs through the wires can kill people from a distance, so I hope we don’t hear more about this. Mayor of Froland municipality, Ove Gundersen, comes with a strong encouragement to people not to go near high-voltage pylons. Photo: Pål Tegnander / news The CEO of Statnett says that the masts in Froland are marked according to regulations. – Our masts are clearly marked with high voltage life hazard. We are also obliged to have that. People must also take that seriously. She says that fortunately they do not experience such incidents often at their facilities, but wants to tell everyone that one must exercise common sense in the vicinity of their stations and lines for their own safety. – It is difficult to say anything else about this video other than that they are insanely lucky. It borders on idiocy. They have been incredibly lucky.
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