Stonehaven's 'Bird Man' dies during Swiss Alps base jump
A Stonehaven man dubbed 'Bird Man' has died following a daring jump in the Swiss Alps.
Liam Byrne, 24, hailed from the Aberdeenshire town and was known for his adrenaline-inducing skydives involving a wingsuit, hence the nickname – the Bird Man.
Described as a 'very experienced wingsuit flyer', Mr Byrne was critically injured on the Gitschen mountain on June 21, after taking off from 7,874ft.
He had completed thousands of similar jumps throughout his life.
His parents, Mike and Gillian, confirmed to BBC Scotland News that their son had died.
'We would like to remember Liam not just for the way he left this world, but for how he lived in it,' a family statement said.
'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 Liam – it was freedom. It was where he felt most alive.'
His passion for skydiving led to him featuring in the BBC documentary, The Boy Who Can Fly.
The show builds up to Liam taking on the most technically difficult challenge of his career: a wingsuit jump off 7,000ft (2,134m) Männlichen in Switzerland.
He was also proclaimed British champion in performance wingsuit flying.
The statement 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.'
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