"Athlete experienced numerous life-threatening instances during the descent"
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Felix Baumgartner, a renowned figure in the world of extreme sports, passed away in a tragic paragliding accident in Porto Sant'Elpidio, Italy, on July 17, 2025. The 56-year-old Austrian was a pioneer in his field, having broken numerous skydiving records and pushing the boundaries of human endurance during his daring exploits.
On October 14, 2012, Baumgartner made history by ascending to approximately 38 km above Earth in a helium balloon and jumping, breaking the sound barrier during his freefall at a speed exceeding 833 mph (Mach 1.25). This feat set multiple records, including the highest exit altitude, highest vertical speed, and longest vertical freefall without a drogue parachute. Baumgartner became the first person to break the sound barrier without vehicular power during descent.
During his 2012 jump, Baumgartner wore a special spacesuit and jumped from a height of 39 km. However, his equipment malfunctioned during the descent, and he almost lost his life several times. Despite these challenges, he managed to survive and land safely, becoming an inspiration to millions around the world.
The hype surrounding Baumgartner's jump was immense, with almost 10 million people watching it live, setting a record. However, the excitement surrounding his 2012 jump was not replicated when Alan Eustace, Google Vice President, broke Baumgartner's BASE jumping record by jumping from a height of over 41 km in 2014.
Baumgartner's death serves as a stark reminder of the risks inherent in high-adrenaline aviation sports. Despite being in excellent physical condition, his body could not withstand another extreme sports challenge. The cause of his death was determined to be a heart stoppage while he was in the air.
The study of Baumgartner's body after his 2012 jump allowed scientists to design new variants of ejection systems that work at high altitudes. His legacy continues to inspire a new generation of extreme sports enthusiasts, who strive to push the limits of human endurance and explore the unknown.
In summary, while Baumgartner's 2012 jump marked an extreme, pioneering moment in human skydiving history, his death occurred over a decade later during another form of extreme aerial activity, paragliding, and highlights the ongoing risks in high-adrenaline aviation sports.
[1] BBC News, Felix Baumgartner: Austrian skydiver dies in paragliding accident
[2] The Guardian, Felix Baumgartner: Austrian skydiver dies in paragliding accident
[5] National Geographic, Felix Baumgartner: The Man Who Broke the Sound Barrier
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