A celebrated American wingsuit pilot has died after a BASE jump near South Africa's Table Mountain went tragically wrong. Brendan Weinstein, 32, descended about 1,000 feet at 120mph but failed to pull up in time, hitting rocks in Platteklip Gorge on Monday morning.
Weinstein was highly experienced, with 1,600 wingsuit flights, 1,000 parachute jumps and 800 BASE jumps. His wife Kivia Martins confirmed his death, saying: 'We lost Brendan far too soon. He was deeply loved, and he left a powerful mark on so many people.' He leaves behind a young son, Eiger.
Search and rescue teams recovered his body shortly before 10am. A witness described hearing 'what sounded like a jet engine, followed by an impact' and seeing debris tumbling down the gorge. Police have opened an inquest docket.
South African National Parks spokesperson J.P. Louw stressed that BASE jumping is illegal and strictly prohibited within Table Mountain National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 'We therefore appeal to all visitors to refrain from undertaking such activities,' he said.
Weinstein had campaigned to decriminalise recreational BASE jumping and was formerly president of BASE Access, a non-profit advocating for responsible practice. His flights were featured by GoPro, Red Bull and others.
