Felix Baumgartner Austrian daredevil renowned for his record-breaking stratospheric skydive has died at age 56 following a motor-powered paragliding accident in Italy. The news sent shockwaves through the extreme sports community.
Baumgartner’s sudden death occurred as he flew over Porto Sant’Elpidio, a village in Italy’s Marche region. He crashed near a hotel swimming pool. Local Mayor Massimiliano Ciarpella confirmed his passing. Reports suggest Baumgartner may have experienced a sudden medical issue mid-flight, an incident currently under investigation.
Baumgartner shot to global fame in 2012 with his unprecedented parachute jump from the stratosphere. That historic leap from an altitude of 102,000 feet, captivated millions and cemented his place in history.
“Our community is deeply affected by the tragic disappearance of Felix Baumgartner, a figure of global prominence, a symbol of courage and passion for extreme flight,” Mayor Ciarpella shared on Facebook.
Austrian adventurer began his career in extreme sports at just 16 years old further honing his skills within the Austrian military. While his stratospheric jump record surpassed just two years later Baumgartner continued to undertake various daring feats, maintaining his widespread recognition.
Reflecting on his record-breaking jump Baumgartner famously said, “When I was standing there on top of the world, you become so humble. You don’t think about breaking records anymore, you don’t think about gaining scientific data – the only thing that you want is to come back alive.”
