Baumgartner, First Skydiver to Break Sound Barrier, Dies in Accident

CNBC AI News, July 23rd – Felix Baumgartner, the daredevil Austrian skydiver renowned for his record-breaking supersonic jump from the stratosphere, has tragically died at the age of 56. The incident occurred on July 17th during a paragliding flight along the eastern coast of Italy.

According to reports, Baumgartner was piloting his paraglider near Porto Sant’Elpidio, a town in Italy, when he lost control. The glider crashed into the swimming pool area of a coastal hotel.

Baumgartner was pronounced dead at the scene. A hotel employee was also injured after being struck by the paraglider and was hospitalized with neck injuries.

Initial reports suggest Baumgartner may have been feeling unwell prior to the flight. Authorities are investigating the exact cause of the crash, including the possibility that he lost consciousness mid-air, potentially suffering a cardiac arrest.

Red Bull, a longtime sponsor of Baumgartner, released a statement expressing their “shock and unspeakable sadness” at the news. “Felix was born to fly, constantly pushing the limits. He was smart, professional, considerate, and meticulous. He dedicated a great deal of time to helping others and has inspired countless people.”

Baumgartner, a pioneer in extreme sports, leaves behind a legacy of incredible achievements. He was the first person to wingsuit fly across the English Channel in 2003 and in 2007, he BASE jumped from the arm of Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro.

However, Baumgartner will be best remembered for his groundbreaking Stratos project in 2012. On October 14th, 2012, he ascended to an altitude of 39 kilometers (24 miles) above Earth, embarking on a mission that challenged the boundaries of human physiology and physics. His freefall lasted for 4 minutes and 19 seconds, during which he shattered the sound barrier and set records for the highest skydive and fastest freefall speed (1,357 km/h or 843.2 mph).

Reaching a top speed of 1,357 kilometers per hour—approximately 380 meters per second—during his descent, Baumgartner became the first human to break the sound barrier in freefall, solidifying his place in history.