Rooftop avalanche sweeps cleaners off building (VIDEO)

Four young men from Russia’s Yakutia Republic had no idea that the routine task of clearing snow from a roof would turn into an epic slide worthy of a mountain ski resort, not the middle of an urban area.

Apparently trying to make some quick money for the upcoming long weekend in Russia – for March 8, International Women's Day – the four fellows agreed to shovel snow off the roof of a five-story building for a small reward.

However, at a certain point something went horribly wrong and the mass of snow plummeted to the ground, sweeping up three of the four workers.

The beginning of what could have turned into a fatal incident was caught on camera by a passer-by.

Two workers were quick enough to catch hold of the roof skirting while the safety cable of the third one broke apart and he tumbled down to the ground. Fortunately, it was covered with snow and a nearly 15-meter fall ended only with a broken leg for the not-so-lucky man.

He was immediately taken to hospital.

The workers were promised 3,000 rubles for the task (nearly $41), local media reported.