Austrian extreme athlete Felix Baumgartner has died, Kronen Zeitung reports. The 56-year-old was killed in a paragliding accident on Thursday in Porto Sant’Elpidio on the Adriatic coast.
According to constant reports from Italian media, Baumgartner was flying a paraglider when he suddenly lost control of the aircraft – likely due to a sudden feeling of weakness, Kronen Zeitung writes. He then fell into a hotel pool, hitting a woman who sustained injuries.
Unconfirmed Cause and Previous Feats
Initial reports indicate that her condition is not serious, RaiNews reports. According to preliminary information, Baumgartner was already deceased when the fall occurred.
The extreme athlete gained international fame for his spectacular jumps. In 2012, he made history when he ascended to the stratosphere in a helium balloon and then jumped back to Earth.
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Source: N1, Foto: EPA-EFE / Barbara Gindl