The young men from Magione, Italy, were training their pet birds ahead of the forthcoming hunting season when the tragic incident took place. A pigeon reportedly settled on cables carrying around 20,000 volts, approximately 10 metres above the ground.

One of the twins used a carbon-fibre pole, commonly used in hunting, in an attempt to coax the bird down.

It is believed he inadvertently made contact with the live wires, which killed him instantly.