Stratosphere jumper Felix Baumgartner experiences a crash during his paragliding descent
Felix Baumgartner, the Austrian skydiver who made history by jumping from the edge of space in 2012, has tragically died in a paragliding accident in Italy. The incident occurred on July 18, 2025, off the Adriatic coast, near Fermo.
Baumgartner, who was 56 years old at the time, was reportedly taking off when he lost control of his paraglider. The cause of the loss of control remains unclear, but it is noted that Baumgartner faced strong winds before the accident.
The accident took place at a campsite in Porto Sant'Elpidio, where Baumgartner crashed into a swimming pool. A hotel employee was injured in the incident, suffering neck injuries.
Reports indicate that Baumgartner suffered a cardiac arrest while still in the air[1][2].
Felix Baumgartner gained worldwide fame in 2012 when he jumped from a height of approximately 39 kilometers, making him the first person to break the sound barrier without a vehicle. The event was broadcast live and entered the Guinness World Records.
The news about Baumgartner's death was reported by the Austrian newspaper Kurier. However, no further details about his illness or the condition of the motorized paraglider he was using were provided.
[1] Kurier, (2025). Felix Baumgartner: Der Österreichische Skydiver ist tot [Felix Baumgartner: The Austrian Skydiver is Dead]. Retrieved from https://www.kurier.at/news/oesterreich/felix-baumgartner-der-oesterreichische-skydiver-ist-tot/40007907
[2] The Guardian, (2025). Felix Baumgartner: Austrian skydiver dies in paragliding accident in Italy [Online]. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jul/18/felix-baumgartner-austrian-skydiver-dies-in-paragliding-accident-in-italy
Despite his tragic death in a paragliding accident, Felix Baumgartner was globally recognized for his sports achievement, specifically in hockey, as well as his record-breaking jump from the edge of space in 2012. On that historic day, he became the first person to break the sound barrier without a vehicle, an event that was broadcast live and entered the Guinness World Records.
