Felix Baumgartner, 56, Dies in Paragliding Accident
Felix Baumgartner, the extreme athlete known for his record-breaking 2012 jump from the stratosphere, has died in a paragliding accident in Italy at age 56. Local authorities believe he suffered cardiac arrest mid-air before crashing into a swimming pool at a resort in Porto Sant’Elpidio, injuring one hotel employee. Children reportedly witnessed the crash.
The city’s mayor, Massimiliano Ciarpella, confirmed his death, calling Baumgartner “a symbol of courage and passion for extreme flight.”
Just hours before the accident, Baumgartner posted on Instagram, including a photo from the sky and a story noting strong winds.
Baumgartner rose to global fame in 2012 after a supersonic skydive from 120,000 feet, reaching speeds over 840 mph. The historic jump took six years to plan and required a helium balloon the size of 33 football fields.
Reflecting on the feat in a 2022 interview, he recalled the moment before the jump: “The sky above me was completely black… I had tears in my eyes.” He is survived by his wife, Mihaela Schwartzenberg.