Austrian Skydiver Felix Baumgartner Dies in Italy Paragliding Crash

Felix Baumgartner, the Austrian extreme sports icon renowned for his 2012 record-breaking stratospheric skydive where he became the first person to break the sound barrier in free fall, died at age 56 in a paragliding accident in Italy. While flying a motorized paraglider in Porto Sant’Elpidio on the Adriatic coast, Baumgartner reportedly suffered a sudden illness or loss of consciousness, causing him to lose control and crash into a hotel swimming pool, resulting in his immediate death. A woman in the pool was injured but her condition was stable, and a hotel worker sustained neck injuries. Baumgartner had slowed down in recent years, focusing on lighter flying and living a more balanced life, but flying remained a passion and necessity for him. His death was especially poignant as it occurred during an ordinary flight rather than a record attempt, marking a tragic end for a daredevil who had captivated the world with his extreme feats. Tributes poured in worldwide honoring Baumgartner’s legacy as a pioneer of risk and extreme sports.