Skydiver, daredevil legend Felix Baumgartner dies in paragliding crash

• World-renowned skydiver Felix Baumgartner has died following a tragic accident
• The legendary daredevil died while paragliding in Italy on Thursday, local media reported
• Baumgartner, aged 56, reportedly lost control of his paraglider and landed in a hotel swimming pool in the coastal town of Porto Sant’Elpidio
• The death was later confirmed in a social media post by the city’s mayor, Massimiliano Ciarpella

Austrian skydiver and extreme sports icon Felix Baumgartner has died at the age of 56 following a tragic paragliding accident in Italy.

According to CNN affiliate SkyTG24, Baumgartner lost control of his paraglider and crashed into a hotel swimming pool in the coastal town of Porto Sant’Elpidio.

As per New York Post, a hotel employee was also injured after being struck by the motorized paraglider and rushed to the hospital with neck injuries.

In an article by PhilSTAR Life, the daredevil legend’s death was later confirmed in a social media post by the city’s mayor, Massimiliano Ciarpella.

“Our community is deeply impacted by the tragic passing of Felix Baumgartner, a worldwide figure, a symbol of courage and passion for extreme flying. It was flying over our town when a fatal illness took it away today,” Ciarpella said.

“Porto Sant’Elpidio is holding around his family and loved ones at this time of sorrow. On behalf of the Municipal Administration and all the citizens, I express my most sincere condolences for this irreparable loss,” he added.

Born in Salzburg, Austria, "Fearless Felix" Baumgartner built a reputation for high-risk stunts. Over the years, he captivated audiences worldwide with his fearless approach to pushing the boundaries of human endurance and aviation.

In 2012, Baumgartner became the first person to break the sound barrier in freefall by jumping from a capsule over 24 miles above the Earth, setting a world record for the highest jump.

News, photos or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, such could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable to almost everyone who get to read about the stories online.

Previously, Portuguese footballer and Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, 28, has died in a car crash in Spain on July 3. His 26-year-old brother, Andre Silva, a fellow pro footballer who played for Penafiel in the second tier of Portuguese soccer, also died in the accident. Jota’s unfortunate passing came just days after he married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso, with whom he shares three kids. The couple tied the knot on June 22 in Porto, his home city.

Earlier, Georgia O'Connor, a British professional boxer, has died at 25. Her promoter, Boxxer, took to social media last May 22 to confirm her demise. The sports promoter likewise left an earnest message to her loved ones. O'Connor announced earlier this year that she had been diagnosed with cancer after previously battling ulcerative colitis. The late athlete’s passing came just two weeks after marrying the “love of her life.” The couple tied the knot on May 9, 2025.

Source: KAMI.com.gh