24-year-old dies in wingsuit crash in Switzerland
Liam Byrne, a 24-year-old wingsuit flyer, died on Saturday after a crash on the Gitschen mountain in the Swiss Alps.
Mr Byrne had been featured in a BBC documentary titled The Boy Who Can Fly, which followed his journey to becoming a champion skydiver, in November.
His parents Mike and Gillian confirmed his death, remembering him as a "fearless" man with a "contagious laugh" and "wild energy".
The family said that skydiving and base jumping were more than a thrill for Mr Byrne, describing them as his source of "freedom" and where he felt "most alive."
Mr Byrne said in the documentary that an office job scared him more than the fear of dying from a base jump or wingsuit flight.
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The Independent
20 hours ago
- The Independent
Wingsuit flyer who died in Swiss Alps remembered as ‘fearless' adventurer
A 24-year-old wingsuit flyer, Liam Byrne, has been remembered as a 'fearless' man with a 'contagious laugh' after his death in the Swiss Alps. The BBC reported that Mr Byrne died on Saturday following a wingsuit crash on the Gitschen mountain. Mr Byrne reportedly took off from an altitude of 7,874ft (2,400 metres) before the incident, according to the BBC. Just last November, Mr Byrne was featured in a BBC documentary titled The Boy Who Can Fly, which chronicled his journey to becoming a champion skydiver. His parents, Mike and Gillian, confirmed their son's death to BBC Scotland News, paying a heartfelt tribute to his "wild energy" and "contagious laugh". The Byrne family said: 'We would like to remember Liam not just for the way he left this world, but for how he lived in it. 'Liam was fearless, not necessarily because he wasn't afraid but because he refused to let fear hold him back. He chased life in a way that most of us only dream of and he soared.' Skydiving and base jumping were more than just a thrill for the 24-year-old, the family said. 'It was freedom. It was where he felt most alive. 'Liam was more than just an adventurer. He was a son, brother, grandson, cousin and friend. He was a source of laughter and strength. 'He inspired all of us and made life better with his bold spirit and kind heart. 'We will miss Liam's wild energy and contagious laugh. 'Though he has now flown beyond our reach, he will always be with us.' The documentary, which screened on 8 November, showed Mr Byrne and his father, Mike, as Mr Byrne prepared for a wingsuit jump off Mannlichen mountain in Switzerland. Speaking in the documentary, Mr Byrne, from Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, said: 'An office job scares me far more than the fear of dying from a base jump or wingsuit flight.' The Foreign Office has been approached for comment.
The Independent
21 hours ago
- The Independent
24-year-old dies in wingsuit crash in Switzerland
Liam Byrne, a 24-year-old wingsuit flyer, died on Saturday after a crash on the Gitschen mountain in the Swiss Alps. Mr Byrne had been featured in a BBC documentary titled The Boy Who Can Fly, which followed his journey to becoming a champion skydiver, in November. His parents Mike and Gillian confirmed his death, remembering him as a "fearless" man with a "contagious laugh" and "wild energy". The family said that skydiving and base jumping were more than a thrill for Mr Byrne, describing them as his source of "freedom" and where he felt "most alive." Mr Byrne said in the documentary that an office job scared him more than the fear of dying from a base jump or wingsuit flight.
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
Tragedy as Scots wingsuit flyer dies during base jump horror in Swiss Alps
TRAGEDY IN THE ALPS Tragedy as Scots wingsuit flyer dies during base jump horror in Swiss Alps A SCOTTISH wingsuit flyer has died during a base jump in the Swiss alps. Liam Byrne, 24, tragically lost his life at Gitschen mountain on Saturday. 3 3 His family confirmed to BBC Scotland that he had sadly died. In a statement to the broadcaster, they said: "We would like to remember Liam not just for the way he left this world, but for how he lived in it. "Liam was fearless, not necessarily because he wasn't afraid but because he refused to let fear hold him back. He chased life in a way that most of us only dream of and he soared. "Skydiving and base jumping was more than just a thrill for Liam - it was freedom. It was where he felt most alive." They added: "Liam was more than just an adventurer. He was a son, brother, grandson, cousin and friend. He was a source of laughter and strength. "He inspired all of us and made life better with his bold spirit and kind heart. We will miss Liam's wild energy and contagious laugh. "Though he has now flown beyond our reach, he will always be with us." More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Scottish Sun. is your go to destination for the best celebrity news, football news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheScottishSun.
