Austrian extreme sportsman Felix Baumgartner died in a paragliding accident in the Italian coastal town of Porto Sant'Elpidio on July 17, 2025. The 56-year-old was known worldwide for his daredevil jumps and was regarded as an icon of base jumping and aerial acrobatics.
According to initial investigations, Baumgartner took off on a flight along the Adriatic coast in the afternoon. Shortly after take-off, there was apparently a sudden medical emergency. Witnesses report that the experienced pilot lost control of his paraglider, crashed into a hotel complex and finally landed in an outdoor pool.
A young woman was slightly injured in the pool. She was taken to a nearby hospital for further medical assessment. Her condition is stable. However, all help came too late for Felix Baumgartner. The emergency services were quickly on the scene, but were only able to determine his death. An autopsy will now be carried out to determine the exact cause of death. The responsible authorities are currently assuming a sudden circulatory failure during the flight.
Baumgartner is one of the best-known personalities in international extreme sports. He became famous above all for his stratospheric jump in October 2012, in which he jumped from a height of almost 39,000 meters above the New Mexico desert. He set several records in the process, including the highest free fall and the first supersonic flight by a human in free fall. The jump was broadcast live around the world and made him an icon in his field.
In addition to this milestone, Baumgartner completed numerous other spectacular base jumps from skyscrapers, bridges and monuments around the world. His career was characterized by precision, a willingness to take risks and technical innovation. After retiring from active competitive sport, he worked as a helicopter pilot and was involved in various social projects.
His death marked the end of an extraordinary life that always played out on the borderline between technology, courage and danger. The news of his accident triggered great sympathy worldwide - both in the sporting world and among all those who regarded him as a role model for determination and pioneering spirit.
