Austrian Skydiver Felix Baumgartner Dies In Italy Paragliding Crash

Felix Baumgartner, the Austrian extreme athlete famed for his record-breaking 2012 skydive from the edge of space, died at age 56 in a paraglider crash in Porto Sant’Elpidio, Italy. He reportedly lost control of his motorized paraglider after feeling unwell, crashing into a hotel swimming pool and dying instantly; a hotel employee was also injured. Baumgartner was renowned for numerous feats, including the highest parachute jump from a building in 1999, the lowest BASE jump from the Christ the Redeemer statue, and being the first person to fly across the English Channel using carbon fiber wings. His 2012 skydive from nearly 24 miles above Earth made him the first human to break the sound barrier without a vehicle, reaching speeds of Mach 1.25 during a live broadcast watched by millions. Known as “Fearless Felix,” his jumps combined extreme courage and innovation, inspiring many worldwide. Local authorities continue investigating the exact cause of the accident.