Daredevil Felix Baumgartner Dies in Paragliding Accident

Felix Baumgartner, known for his thrilling stunts and a record-setting skydive from the edge of space in 2012, has reportedly passed away, according to local news sources.

The 56-year-old Austrian, an icon in extreme sports, apparently became ill while flying an electric paraglider in Porto San Terpidio, Italy, which led to a crash into a hotel swimming pool.

It’s been reported that he died instantly in this unusual incident. A hotel worker was also injured during the crash and has since been taken to the hospital for treatment of a neck injury.

Just two hours before the tragic accident, Baumgartner shared an Instagram story expressing concern about safety, saying, “There’s too much wind.”

Baumgartner was famous for his wide array of breathtaking stunts, including extreme parachuting and base jumping. In 1999, he made headlines for jumping off the 1,483-foot Petronas Tower in Kuala Lumpur, establishing a world record for high-rise parachuting.

In the same year, he also set the record for the lowest base jump from the 85-foot arm of the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro.

Then, in 2003, he made history as the first person to skydive across the English Channel using specially designed carbon fiber wings.

However, his most remarkable feat came in 2012 when Baumgartner leaped from a helium balloon at an astonishing 24 miles, breaking the sound barrier without any vehicle and reaching a speed of Mach 1.25 (843.6 mph). He experienced four minutes and 19 seconds of free fall before opening his parachute.

This awe-inspiring stunt was thoroughly documented by Red Bull and broadcast live, capturing an audience of around 8 million viewers across various online and television platforms.

In the wake of the news, social media has been flooded with tributes to the daredevil. One fan wrote, “I was shocked by the news, so RIP,” while another remarked, “We all miss Felix.”