Felix Baumgartner, record-breaking skydiver, dies in paragliding crash.
By : Krishna Mishra
Felix Baumgartner, Supersonic Skydiver, Dies in Italy Paragliding Crash at 56
Rome – Felix Baumgartner, the Austrian daredevil best known for becoming the first human to break the sound barrier in freefall during his historic 2012 space jump, tragically died on Thursday, July 17, in a powered paragliding accident on Italy’s eastern coast. He was 56.
The fatal incident took place in Porto Sant'Elpidio, where emergency crews responded to a crash involving a powered paraglider that landed in a swimming pool. According to The Daily Mail, Baumgartner reportedly lost control of the glider, crashed, and lost consciousness shortly after impact. He succumbed to cardiac arrest on site.
Woman Injured in Crash
A woman at the crash location was also injured when Baumgartner struck her during the accident. She was rushed to a nearby hospital but fortunately did not suffer any life-threatening injuries.
Official Confirmation
The tragic news was confirmed by Porto Sant'Elpidio Mayor Massimiliano Ciarpella, who publicly expressed his grief:
“Our community is deeply affected by the tragic disappearance of Felix Baumgartner, a figure of global prominence, a symbol of courage and passion for extreme flight.”
Remembering a Legend
Baumgartner rose to global fame in October 2012 with his Red Bull Stratos mission, a feat that captured worldwide attention. He ascended to over 39 km (24 miles) above Earth in a helium balloon and then jumped, wearing a pressurized suit. During the nine-minute descent over New Mexico, he reached a top speed of 843.6 mph (1.25x the speed of sound), becoming the first person to break the sound barrier without the use of an engine.
His freefall almost turned deadly when he entered a dangerous flat spin at supersonic speed, rotating uncontrollably for 13 seconds. He eventually regained control and parachuted safely to the ground.
Reflecting on that iconic moment, Baumgartner once said:
“When I was standing there on top of the world, you become so humble… The only thing you want is to come back alive.”
Felix Baumgartner’s legacy as a fearless adventurer and aviation pioneer will live on, remembered for redefining human limits and inspiring a generation of thrill-seekers.