Austrian extreme athlete Felix Baumgartner, best known for his historic jump from the stratosphere in 2012, has died in a paragliding accident in Porto Sant’Elpidio, Italy. He was 56.
According to reports from Italian media, the incident occurred on the Adriatic coast, near the town of Fermo. Baumgartner had taken off with his paraglider earlier in the day but lost control mid-flight. The exact cause remains under investigation.
Tragically, Baumgartner crashed into a campsite swimming pool, where he reportedly fell onto a woman, who sustained injuries. Emergency services were alerted by a nearby tourist who witnessed the accident. Authorities later confirmed that Baumgartner suffered cardiac arrest while still airborne.
The Austrian Foreign Ministry and Italy’s fire brigade have confirmed the fatal accident. Just hours before the incident, Baumgartner posted an Instagram story with the caption: “Too much wind.”
Baumgartner rose to global fame in 2012, when he jumped from a helium balloon in the stratosphere at 39 kilometers (24 miles) above Earth. That daring feat made him the first human to break the sound barrier in free fall, reaching speeds of 1,342.8 km/h (833.9 mph). The stunt captivated millions worldwide and cemented his legacy as one of the most daring athletes in modern history.
Baumgartner’s passing marks a significant loss to the world of extreme sports, where he was celebrated for pushing the boundaries of human potential and adventure.
