Overview
- Sergei (Sergey) Shipitsin, 35, an Ashdod resident known online as the “Jumping Buddha,” died in a gliding crash in Switzerland’s Lauterbrunnen Valley.
- Concern grew when he failed to check out of his hotel, prompting a friend’s Instagram appeal that said he was last seen around 3 p.m. in the Stachelberg area.
- After several hours of searching, rescuers found his body at the crash site, according to initial reports.
- ZAKA said it is coordinating with Swiss authorities to repatriate the remains, and Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed consular support until procedures are completed.
- Yahoo, citing Israeli television reporting, said his body was transported back to Israel and that he will be buried in Sderot.