Felix Baumgartner: A Skydiving Legend’s Untimely End
Felix Baumgartner, renowned for his record-setting jump from the edge of space, tragically passed away in a paragliding accident on July 17th, at the age of 56.
The incident took place in Porto Sant Elpidio, a picturesque locale on Italy’s eastern coast. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud noise followed by the sight of Baumgartner’s paraglider spiraling dangerously before crashing into the edge of a swimming pool. Confirmation of his death came from the local mayor.
As reported by the Associated Press, residents were left in shock as they witnessed the shocking turn of events. Mayor Ciarpella noted that Baumgartner was vacationing in the area at the time.
Originating from Austria, Baumgartner’s passion for skydiving began in his youth, a pursuit he furthered during his service in the Austrian military, according to his personal website as cited by CBS News.
A Record-Breaking Career
Baumgartner’s partnership with Red Bull commenced in 1988, culminating in a monumental achievement in 2012 when he executed a jump from the stratosphere. After five years of meticulous training, he succeeded in breaking the previous altitude record of 102,000 feet, set by Air Force Captain Joe Kittinger in 1960. Interestingly, two years later, another record was established by Google executive Alan Eustace, who reached an astonishing 135,890 feet.
As CBS News elaborated:
Felix Baumgartner, the audacious adventurer who captured global attention with his stratospheric parachute jump in 2012, met with tragedy in Italy, confirmed by the local mayor. Firefighters reported discovering his paraglider wedged against a swimming pool in Porto Sant Elpidio.
“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,” expressed Massimiliano Ciarpella, the town’s mayor, via Facebook. He reiterated to the Associated Press that the extreme athlete was in the region for leisure.
At the age of 56, Baumgartner made headlines in 2012 when he was propelled into the stratosphere, approximately 24 miles high, in a helium balloon capsule. He then parachuted back to Earth, landing in New Mexico. During this audacious descent, he shattered the record for the fastest free fall, reaching speeds of about 843.6 mph and becoming the first human to surpass the sound barrier without mechanical assistance.
His legendary jump from around 24 miles above the Earth saw him donning a pressurized suit for protection, as he achieved a freefall speed of 843.6 miles per hour—equivalent to Mach 1.25. The exhilarating freefall lasted a breathtaking four minutes and twenty seconds. For those who wish to relive this historic moment, a summary video can be found here.
As previously reported by TGP, the remarkable feat of Baumgartner’s space jump in 2012 was a marketing triumph for Red Bull, showcasing not just extreme sports but the very essence of human daring and innovation.
