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LAST UPDATE | 18 Jul 2025
EXTREME ATHLETE FELIX Baumgartner, the first skydiver to fall faster than the speed of sound during a 39km leap through the stratosphere more than a decade ago, died in a crash yesterday along the eastern coast of Italy. He was 56.
Italian firefighters said a paraglider crashed into the side of a swimming pool in the city of Porto Sant Elpidio.
The city’s mayor, Massimiliano Ciarpella, confirmed Baumgartner’s death in a social media post.
“Our community is deeply affected by the tragic disappearance of Felix Baumgartner, a figure of global prominence, a symbol of courage and passion for extreme flight,” Ciarpella said.
Baumgartner, known as “Fearless Felix”, stunned the world in 2012 when he became the first human to break the sound barrier with only his body.
He wore a pressurised suit and jumped from a capsule hoisted more than 39km above Earth by a giant helium balloon over New Mexico.
The Austrian, who was part of the Red Bull Stratos team, fell at a rate the equivalent of 1.25 times the speed of sound, during a nine-minute descent.
10 YEARS AGO 🚀
— Red Bull (@redbull) October 14, 2022
it's been a decade since Felix Baumgartner achieved the *iconic* space jump with Red Bull Stratos and nope we've not been the same since 🤩
new documentary released today - watch now 👉 https://t.co/4dGeij6X73 #redbullstratos #spacejump #felixbaumgartner pic.twitter.com/SRwUrOZ2h2
“When I was standing there on top of the world, you become so humble, you do not think about of breaking records any more, you do not think of about gaining scientific data.
“The only thing you want is to come back alive,” he said after landing in the eastern New Mexico desert.
The altitude from which he jumped also marked the highest for a skydiver, shattering the previous record set in 1960 by Joe Kittinger, who was an adviser to Baumgartner during his feat.
Baumgartner’s altitude record stood for two years until Google executive Alan Eustace set new marks for the highest free-fall jump and greatest free-fall distance.
In 2012, millions watched YouTube’s livestream as Baumgartner coolly flashed a thumbs-up when he came out of the capsule high above Earth and then activated his parachute as he neared the ground, lifting his arms in victory after he landed.
In a post to Facebook, Red Bull said its team were shocked by Baumgartner’s death.
“Felix was “born to fly” and was determined to push the limits,” they said.
“He was also smart, professional, thorough and meticulous, never leaving anything to chance. He was generous, giving much of his time to help and inspiring so many people.
“We remember Felix as a lovely person, devoted to his family and friends, to whom we send our heartfelt sympathy.”
Baumgartner, a former Austrian military parachutist, made thousands of jumps from planes, bridges, skyscrapers and famed landmarks around the world, including the Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil.
In 2003 he flew across the English Channel in a carbon fibre wing after being dropped from a plane.
In recent years, he performed with The Flying Bulls as a helicopter stunt pilot in shows across Europe.
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