What Happened to Felix Baumgartner? Skydiver Who Jumped from Edge of Space Passes Away

The sad demise of Felix Baumgartner, aged 56, has evoked heartfelt tributes from his admirers and those close to him. As per the latest updates, this legendary figure in extreme sports reportedly met with a tragic accident while paragliding in central Italy.

Felix Baumgartner passes away at 56

As a gamer speaking about my inspiration, Felix Baumgartner, the fearless Austrian adventurer who made history with his supersonic freefall from the stratosphere back in 2012, has tragically passed away at the age of 56. Unfortunately, it was reported that Baumgartner’s life ended following a paragliding accident in Porto Sant’Elpidio, a beautiful coastal town on Italy’s central shore. This loss is deeply felt by many who were moved by his daring spirit and groundbreaking achievements.

As reported by local authorities, a tragic accident took place on Thursday. Baumgartner, piloting a motorized paraglider, suddenly lost control and plunged into the hotel’s swimming pool from the air. People nearby, including those in the pool, bore witness to his descent.

According to initial reports from local authorities, it’s speculated that a sudden health issue occurred during the flight, which might have led to the plane crash (as reported by The Guardian).

Firefighters who arrived at the scene verified that the paraglider had collided with a pool in Porto Sant’Elpidio. The town’s mayor, Massimiliano Ciarpella, announced Baumgartner’s death on social media, expressing sympathy to his family and referring to him as a symbol of bravery and zeal for daring flights.

In October 2012, Baumgartner achieved worldwide fame through his groundbreaking space leap during the Red Bull Stratos mission. Raised by a helium balloon over 24 miles above the Earth, he plunged from the stratosphere in a pressurized suit, achieving an incredible speed of 843.6 mph.

The nine-minute flight over New Mexico’s desert featured a perilous 13-second flat spin at supersonic speed, which he miraculously regained control of before making a safe landing via parachute. More recently, Baumgartner has been participating in aerial feats across Europe with the Flying Bulls crew.

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2025-07-18 16:10