Felix Baumgartner, Stratosphere Skydiver, Dies at 56 in Paragliding Incident

Felix Baumgartner, the Austrian thrill-seeker most well-known for his record-breaking stratospheric skydive in 2012, has died in a paragliding crash in Italy. He was 56.

Fatal Crash in Porto Sant’Elpidio

As reported by native Italian information supply La Repubblica, Baumgartner was flying over Porto Sant’Elpidio, a seaside city in central Italy, when he allegedly fell unwell through the flight. He misplaced management of his glider and plummeted right into a resort swimming pool, injuring a lady who had non-life-threatening accidents.

Baumgartner did lose consciousness instantly after the crash and was in cardiac arrest nearly instantly. Rescuers tried to revive him, however he was discovered useless on the scene.

Only days earlier, Baumgartner had posted pictures and movies of his trip in Italy on Instagram, together with clips of him tightening his paraglider.

Baumgartner’s sudden demise was a tragic day for his followers, but it surely was additionally a haunting reminder of how rapidly catastrophe can occur, even to a seasoned skilled in high-risk sports activities.

Breaking Barriers from the Edge of Space

Baumgartner’s title was eternally remembered in excessive sports activities after his unbelievable Red Bull Stratos leap in October 2012. He reached an altitude of just about 39 kilometers (roughly 24 miles) above the Earth in a helium balloon earlier than leaping out in a customized strain go well with.

While coming down over New Mexico, he attained a pace of 843 mph, making him the primary human being to cross the sound barrier in free fall. TMZ Sports stated the document was televised dwell to all the world, making him an icon in science and journey sports activities communities.

His leap mentor was the exact same Air Force Colonel Joseph Kittinger, who had beforehand held the document since 1960. Baumgartner’s leap not solely established a brand new excessive mark in skydiving but additionally provided helpful knowledge to the fields of aerospace security and high-altitude parachute programs.

Fearless Adventurer’s Legacy

Felix Baumgartner was not simply somebody who needed to discover issues otherwise. He’s additionally an innovator who pushed the boundaries of human capability and know-how. He all the time pours his coronary heart into all the pieces he does, particularly in sports activities that not everybody desires to attempt.

Along the way in which, he made dozens of BASE jumps, skydives, and wingsuit flights, consistently pushing for the following huge journey. Battered by criticism at instances for his harmful exploits, Baumgartner stood agency in his view that life was meant to be lived to the fullest, and typically that meant dwelling outdoors gravity’s guidelines.