Latest news with #Repubblica
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Felix Baumgartner reportedly suffered mid-air heart attack before paraglider crash
The daredevil known for jumping from the edge of space is thought to have died after suffering a cardiac arrest Austrian daredevil Felix Baumgartner, famed for his 2012 jump from the edge of space, is believed to have tragically died following a mid-air cardiac arrest while paragliding in Italy. The 56-year-old sportsman passed away around 4pm on Thursday, July 17, with local reports indicating his craft landed in a swimming pool at a holiday resort in Porto Sant'Elpidio, Fermo, injuring a hotel employee on the ground. It's understood that Felix reported feeling unwell while airborne, subsequently losing control of his paraglider. The woman struck by his paraglider was swiftly taken to hospital, but her condition is not considered serious. According to Repubblica, the swimming pool was bustling with children at the time of the incident, who were sadly witness to the sports star's untimely death. Italian local media suggest Baumgartner suffered a cardiac arrest mid-flight, as reported by MailOnline. Baumgartner had launched from Fermo, but lost control of the powered hang glider while flying over the coast, for reasons yet to be determined. Following the crash, he lost consciousness and went into cardiac arrest, reports the Mirror. Emergency services called for an air ambulance to transport him to Torrette Hospital in Ancona, but Felix was declared dead at the scene. Just hours prior to the tragic incident, Felix shared footage on his Instagram account depicting him paragliding in loops above a meadow, completely oblivious to the devastating events that would soon unfold. He had also uploaded an image of an airstrip accompanied by the words: "Too much wind." Felix Baumgartner gained worldwide recognition in 2012 following his successful record-shattering leap from the stratosphere at an altitude of 24 miles (128,100ft). His remarkable descent from the 'brink of space' whilst wearing a pressure suit took approximately 10 minutes, making him the first person to surpass the sound barrier during free fall. However, his extraordinary journey began much earlier, after he took up skydiving at merely 16 years of age. From 1988, he forged a partnership with Red Bull, and throughout the 1990s, he ventured into base jumping, establishing numerous records including 14 world achievements. By 2003, he had also claimed the distinction of being the first person to soar across the English Channel wearing a wingsuit. The town's mayor, Massimiliano Ciarpella, announced Baumgartner's passing via social media, stating: "Our community is deeply affected by the tragic disappearance of Felix Baumgartner, a figure of global prominence, a symbol of courage and passion for extreme flight." Heartbreakingly, mere days beforehand, Felix had posted a photograph taken almost precisely above the location where he perished in his motorised paraglider. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. On Saturday, July 12, he had written: "Flying holiday greetings from Fermo Italy. Where are you vacationing this year?" Felix Baumgartner achieved global recognition in 2012 when he successfully executed a record-breaking jump from the stratosphere, a staggering height of 24 miles. His descent from the 'edge of space' spanned approximately 10 minutes. The Stratos jump was sponsored by Red Bull, and became the centrepiece of a significant advertising campaign by the energy drink company.
International Business Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- International Business Times
Felix Baumgartner: Daredevil Skydiver Died Before He Hit the Ground as He Plummeted on a Woman and His Paraglider Smashed into a Hotel Pool
Extreme sports athlete Felix Baumgartner is believed to have died after reportedly blacking out during a paragliding flight in Italy. The 56-year-old Austrian sportsman lost his life around 4 p.m. on Thursday in Porto Sant'Elpidio, located in Italy's Marche region, while flying a motorized paraglider. Italian news outlets reported that the thrill-seeker, famously nicknamed 'Fearless Felix,' had been feeling unwell before takeoff and eventually lost control of his glider. Authorities suspect Baumgartner may have suffered a cardiac arrest while in flight. The Austrian daredevil, fell rapidly to the ground and crashed into a wooden structure near the busy pool area of the Le Mimose campsite and died, according to reports. Tragic End Felix Baumgartner X At the end of the descent, Baumgartner, best known for his historic jump from the edge of space, slammed onto a hotel employee. She had to be rushed to Murri Hospital. Fortunately, her injuries are not serious, according to reports. At the time of the accident, the swimming pool was reportedly full of children playing, many of whom witnessed the athlete's tragic fall, according to Repubblica. Bystanders and staff members tried to revive Baumgartner, but their efforts were unsuccessful. He had taken off from Fermo, but while flying along the coast, he lost control of the powered hang glider for reasons still being investigated. After the crash, he was found unconscious and suffered cardiac arrest. Local media suggest that he may have suffered a heart attack mid-flight. Emergency responders called for an air ambulance to take him to Torrette Hospital in Ancona, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. His wife, Mihaela Schwartzenberg, who was nearby as the couple had been vacationing in the area, was immediately informed of his death and rushed to the location. Just moments before the tragic incident, the athlete had shared a video on social media with the caption, "Too much wind." The clip showed him gliding in circles above a field, unaware of the fatal events that were about to unfold. Fraternity and Fans Shocked Felix Baumgartner X Baumgartner's protégé, diver Christian Redl, spoke about his unwavering commitment and deep passion for his jumps. "He was very risk-conscious, a person who put a lot of thought into his jumps," he told Kleine Zeitung. The world of extreme sports knew Baumgartner for his breathtaking stunts, especially his record-breaking jumps. He became a global sensation in 2012 after jumping from the stratosphere, setting three world records in a single mission. Armed only with a pressure suit, a parachute, and incredible courage, he jumped from the edge of space, leaving spectators in awe. During his free fall, which lasted over four minutes, he reached an astonishing speed of 843.6 mph—breaking the sound barrier—before deploying his parachute and landing safely in New Mexico. According to Redl, Baumgartner, a native of Salzburg, spent over a decade preparing for the legendary stratosphere jump that cemented his name in history. "He only jumped when he was truly confident." Baumgartner was a highly skilled skydiver with thousands of jumps under his belt before turning his focus toward space. He drew inspiration from Captain Joe Kittinger, a former fighter pilot who made a historic jump from an altitude of 102,800 feet in 1960.
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Felix Baumgartner, 56, ‘suffered cardiac arrest BEFORE tragically crashing into crowded hotel swimming pool'
Star's final social media posts before his fatal crash have been revealed DAREDEVIL skydiver Felix Baumgartner could have been dead before he even hit the ground, according to stunning new claims. Baumgartner, perhaps best known for jumping to Earth from a helium balloon in 2012, died in a tragic paragliding accident on Thursday. Advertisement 2 Felix Baumgartner reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest before crashing into a swimming pool Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 2 The daredevil skydiver lost his life in a paragliding accident on Thursday Credit: Shutterstock Editorial The 56-year-old lost his life while flying a motor-powered paraglider in Porto Sant'Elpidio, Italy, at around 4pm. The Austrian set records for skydiving an estimated 24 miles and reaching an estimated top speed of Mach 1.25 (843.6mph), becoming the first person ever to break the sound barrier without vehicular support. However, it has been speculated by Italian media that he suffered a cardiac arrest mid-air during his final trip. He was said to be feeling unwell prior to take off before losing control of his craft and then crashing to the ground and a busy hotel swimming pool. Advertisement But by the time emergency responders arrived on the scene to help him, he was already in cardiac arrest, according to Repubblica. They requested an air ambulance for transport to the hospital, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. His wife, Mihaela Schwartzenberg, who was also in the area on a couple's holiday, was informed and immediately rushed to the scene. Reports also revealed a hotel employee was struck by Baumgartner at the end of his descent. Advertisement She was taken to the hospital after suffering neck injuries, though her condition is fortunately not serious. Baumgartner's accident came just hours after several tragic final posts on social media. Skydiver famous for space jump dies in paragliding tragedy after crashing into pool One showed him working on the glider that led to his death, with the ace captioning his post: "Man at work." While another, posted on Instagram Stories, showed a field with Baumgartner commenting: "Too much wind."
The Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Felix Baumgartner, 56, ‘suffered cardiac arrest BEFORE tragically crashing into crowded hotel swimming pool'
DAREDEVIL skydiver Felix Baumgartner suffered a suspected cardiac arrest while in the air before his paragliding accident. Baumgartner, best known for jumping to Earth from space a helium balloon in 2012, tragically plunged to his death on Thursday. The 56-year-old lost his life while flying a motor-powered paraglider in Porto Sant'Elpidio, Italy, at around 4pm. The Austrian set records for skydiving an estimated 24 miles and reaching an estimated top speed of Mach 1.25 (843.6mph), becoming the first person ever to break the sound barrier without vehicular support. It has been speculated by Italian media that he suffered a cardiac arrest mid-air during his final trip. He was said to be feeling unwell prior to take off before losing control of his craft and then crashing to the ground and a busy hotel swimming pool. But by the time emergency responders arrived on the scene to help him, he was already in cardiac arrest, according to Repubblica. They requested an air ambulance for transport to the hospital, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. His wife, Mihaela Schwartzenberg, who was also in the area on a couple's holiday, was informed and immediately rushed to the scene. Reports also revealed a hotel employee was struck by Baumgartner at the end of his descent. She was taken to the hospital after suffering neck injuries, though her condition is fortunately not serious. Baumgartner's accident came just hours after several tragic final posts on social media. One showed him working on the glider that led to his death, with the ace captioning his post: "Man at work."
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Felix Baumgartner 'was dead BEFORE he hit the ground' near kids playing in pool
Felix Baumgartner is understood to have complained of feeling unwell while his paraglider was airborne shortly before losing control and crash-landing in a busy hotel swimming pool Austrian daredevil Felix Baumgartner - who rose to fame in 2012 after jumping from the edge of space - is thought to have died after suffering a cardiac arrest mid-air while paragliding in Italy. The sportsman, 56, died at around 4pm Thursday, July 17 with local reports saying his craft landed in a swimming pool at a holiday resort in Porto Sant'Elpidio, Fermo, leaving one hotel employee on the ground injured. Felix is understood to have complained of feeling unwell while his paraglider was airborne, losing control of the craft shortly after. The woman hit by his paraglider was rushed to hospital, but is not in a serious condition. The swimming pool was reportedly crowded at the time of the incident, teeming with playing children who were forced to witness the sport star's tragic death, as per Repubblica. According to Italian local media, it is thought Baumgartner suffered cardiac arrest mid-air, reports MailOnline. Baumgartner had taken off from Fermo, but while flying over the coast, for reasons still under investigation, he lost control of the powered hang glider. After the crash, he had lost consciousness and went into cardiac arrest. Emergency responders requested an air ambulance for transport to the Torrette Hospital in Ancona, but Felix was pronounced dead at the scene. A few hours before the accident, Felix posted a video on his Instagram showing him paragliding in circles over a field, completely unaware of the tragedy that was about to strike. He also shared a photo of an airfield with the caption: "Too much wind." Felix Baumgartner became famous around the world in 2012 when he successfully completed a record-breaking jump from the stratosphere at a height of 24 miles (128,100ft). Felix's descent from the 'edge of space' in a pressure suit lasted around 10 minutes, and saw him become the first man to break the sound barrier in free fall. But, his career began at a very young age, after he started skydiving at just 16-years-old. In 1988, he began collaborating with the Red Bull brand, and from the 1990s onwards, he also tried his hand at base jumping and set several records and 14 world records. In 2003 he also became the first man to fly across the English Channel in a wingsuit The city's mayor, Massimiliano Ciarpella, confirmed Baumgartner's death in a social media post "Our community is deeply affected by the tragic disappearance of Felix Baumgartner, a figure of global prominence, a symbol of courage and passion for extreme flight." Mr Ciarpella said. And tragically, just days prior, Felix posted a selfie almost directly above where he died in his motorised paraglider. On Saturday, July 12 he captioned the post: "Flying holiday greetings from Fermo Italy. Where are you vacationing this year?"
