Summary
Extreme athlete Felix Baumgartner died in a paragliding accident in Porto Sant’Elipido, Italy. Baumgartner was known for breaking the sound barrier in a skydive in 2012. Investigators are looking into whether he was ill during the flight when he crashed near a swimming pool.
Key Facts
- Felix Baumgartner died when his paraglider crashed in Porto Sant’Elipido, Italy.
- Baumgartner was 56 years old and known for his 2012 jump, where he broke the sound barrier.
- A local mother witnessed the crash with her children and described seeing people trying to help Baumgartner after the crash.
- The city’s mayor suggested Baumgartner might have been ill during the flight.
- No beach resort guests were injured, though an employee was slightly hurt.
- Baumgartner’s achievements include a skydive from over 24 miles above Earth in 2012 and crossing the English Channel with a carbon fiber wing.
- He was a former Austrian military parachutist and performed as a stunt pilot with Red Bull’s aviation team.
