Extreme Athlete Felix Baumgartner Dies in Italy Paragliding Crash

Felix Baumgartner, the Austrian extreme athlete famous for being the first person to break the sound barrier during a 24-mile skydive in 2012, tragically died in a paragliding accident in Italy at the age of 56. During the flight in Porto Sant'Elpidio, Baumgartner reportedly fell ill, lost control of his motorized paraglider, and crashed into a hotel swimming pool, injuring a hotel employee. Known as “Fearless Felix,” Baumgartner gained worldwide fame for his record-setting jump from the stratosphere, reaching speeds of 843.6 mph, which made him the first human to exceed the speed of sound in free fall. Red Bull, which financed the 2012 stunt, expressed shock and sadness, remembering him as a meticulous and generous person devoted to pushing the limits of extreme sports. Baumgartner's leap shattered previous altitude records and inspired millions globally, and his death marks the loss of a legendary and pioneering figure in the world of extreme athletics. Local officials and the community mourned his passing, recognizing his courage and passion for flight.