NEED TO KNOW
Skydiver Felix Baumgartner has died at the age of 56 following a paragliding incident, when he reportedly crashed at a hotel swimming pool in Italy
Baumgartner was killed on Thursday, July 17; he had been flying over Porto Sant’Elpidio
He made history in 2012 when he became the first skydiver to break the sound barrier
Skydiver Felix Baumgartner died this week following a paragliding incident. He was 56.
According to the Associated Press, Baumgartner was killed on Thursday, July 17, in Italy.
He was flying over Porto Sant’Elpidio when he “lost control” of his paraglider, U.K. newspaper The Independent reported. Per the AP, firefighters at the scene said he “crashed into the side of a swimming pool.”
PEOPLE has contacted Italian police for comment.
In a statement on Facebook, Porto Sant’Elpidio Mayor Massimiliano Ciarpella expressed his condolences.
“Our community is deeply affected by the tragic passing of Felix Baumgartner, a world-renowned figure, a symbol of courage and passion for extreme flight,” Ciarpella said, according to a translation. “He was flying over our city when a fatal [incident] took his life today.”
Ciarpella indicated that Baumgartner was affected by a health issue while in the air.
Manfred Schmid/Getty
Felix Baumgartner in Zeltweg, Austria, on Sept. 3, 2022
He added, “Porto Sant’Elpidio stands with his family and loved ones in this moment of grief. On behalf of the Municipal Administration and all citizens, I express my sincerest condolences for this irreparable loss.”
According to the AP and The Independent, Baumgartner made history in 2012 when he became the first skydiver to break the sound barrier, wearing a pressurized suit as he dived from a balloon some 24 miles above Earth.
Baumgartner was part of the Red Bull Stratos team when he reached the whopping speed of 843.6 mph over New Mexico, per the AP.
In a statement on Facebook, Red Bull paid tribute to Baumgartner.
“We are shocked and overwhelmed with sadness to hear the devastating news of our longtime friend Felix Baumgartner,” Red Bull wrote. “Felix was ‘born to fly’ and was determined to push the limits.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.
The company added, “He was also smart, professional, thorough and meticulous, never leaving anything to chance. He was generous, giving much of his time to help and inspiring so many people.”
“We remember Felix as a lovely person, devoted to his family and friends, to whom we send our heartfelt sympathy. Felix, you will be deeply missed,” their post concluded.
ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock
Felix Baumgartner jumping from a plane at 26,000 feet in May 2010
According to the AFP, Baumgartner was born in Salzburg, Austria.
He also worked as a mechanic while taking steps toward fulfilling his childhood dreams of becoming a skydiver and a pilot.
“I always had the desire to be in the air,” he previously said, per the outlet. “I climbed trees, I wanted to see the world from above.”
Read the original article on People
