Felix Baumgartner Dies in Italy Paragliding Crash

Austrian extreme sports pioneer Felix Baumgartner, known for his 2012 record-breaking skydive from 24 miles above Earth, died at age 56 in a paragliding accident in Porto Sant’Elpidio, Italy. While piloting a motorized paraglider, Baumgartner reportedly suffered a sudden illness or lost consciousness, causing him to crash into a hotel swimming pool and die instantly. A female hotel employee was also injured in the incident but is reported to be in stable condition. Baumgartner's death, confirmed by sponsors and local authorities, marks a significant loss to the extreme sports community. He was renowned for pushing human limits, including becoming the first person to break the sound barrier in freefall. Authorities stated that he launched from a licensed site and his partner was notified promptly.