Felix Baumgartner, the Austrian daredevil who gained worldwide fame for his supersonic stratospheric jump in 2012, has died in a paragliding accident in Italy. He was 56.
According to his sponsor Red Bull, Baumgartner crashed in Porto Sant'Elpidio on the Adriatic coast after losing control of his paraglider. Local authorities suggested he may have suffered a medical episode during the flight.
Mayor Massimiliano Ciarpella confirmed Baumgartner landed a few yards from a swimming pool. An autopsy has been ordered. Red Bull paid tribute to him, stating: 'We grew with you and you with us.'
Baumgartner began skydiving as a teenager and later served as a paratrooper in the Austrian military. He became a pioneer of BASE jumping, leaping from landmarks including the Christ the Redeemer statue and the Empire State Building.
His most famous stunt was in 2012 when he ascended 24 miles in a helium balloon and freefell for four minutes, breaking the sound barrier. The livestreamed event made him a global sensation and a frequent talk show guest.
