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Felix Baumgartner Dies in Powered Paragliding Crash at Italian Hotel

Italian authorities are investigating whether a sudden medical incident or mechanical failure triggered the accident

Overview

  • Baumgartner reportedly felt unwell during a July 17 powered paragliding flight over Porto Sant’Elpidio and lost control of his paramotor, which plunged into a hotel pool.
  • A female hotel guest was struck by the crashing aircraft and suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
  • Firefighters and medical teams arrived within minutes but declared the 56-year-old daredevil dead at the scene.
  • Local prosecutors and aviation experts have launched a formal inquiry to establish if a medical event or equipment malfunction caused the crash.
  • Baumgartner gained global renown in 2012 as the first human to break the sound barrier in freefall during the Red Bull Stratos jump from 39,000 meters.