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Tragic crash: Extreme athlete Felix Baumgartner dies in Italy
Felix Baumgartner, extreme athlete, died in a paragliding accident in Italy. Autopsy should determine the cause of death.
Tragic crash: Extreme athlete Felix Baumgartner dies in Italy
On July 17, 2025, a tragic accident occurred in Porto Sant'Elpidio, Italy: the famous Austrian extreme athlete Felix Baumgartner fell fatally while paragliding. Reports from Radio Euskirchen and tz.de state that the 56-year-old fell into the hotel pool during his vacation with his wife after apparently losing control of his motorized paraglider due to a seizure.
The fire brigade on site was only able to determine Baumgartner's death, which occurred immediately at the scene of the accident. It remains unclear whether he was unconscious at the time. A hotel employee was slightly injured by a piece of flying debris, while other hotel guests suffered no further injuries. The Italian authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident, which also includes checking the paraglider. An autopsy should clarify whether there was a technical defect and what role weather conditions may have played.
A life for extreme sports
Felix Baumgartner made headlines around the world when he became the first person to break the speed of sound in free fall in 2012. When he jumped from a height of 39 kilometers, he set a new record and landed in the US state of New Mexico. In addition to this spectacular jump, he also held records for the highest manned balloon flight and the highest parachute jump. His extraordinary achievements in extreme sports made him a legend in the scene, which admired his commitment and courage.
Despite his successes, Baumgartner was also known for his controversial political statements, which got him into legal trouble. His long association with Red Bull, the energy drink maker that supported him since 1997, is honored in an obituary that expresses the sadness of his loss. His personal assistant was also dismayed and knew little about the exact circumstances of the crash.
Risk factors in extreme sports
Accident statistics indicate that injuries in extreme sports are often not just due to the sport itself. A report from Chip.de emphasizes that the behavior of athletes is often the deciding factor. When it comes to risky activities like paragliding, it is crucial that athletes take their responsibilities seriously. Inexperience and unprepared excursions can quickly lead to dangerous situations, which is why expertise and safety precautions should be a top priority.
The tragedy surrounding Felix Baumgartner is a warning example of the risks that lurk in extreme sports. With his impressive career, he will be remembered not only as a pioneer, but also as someone who pushed the boundaries of what was possible and did so at great risk.