Felix Baumgartner, famous for having jumped from the stratosphere, died this Thursday after suffering an accident.
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| Photo: @therealfelixbaumgartner |
Felix Baumgartner, the famous Austrian who gained worldwide fame in 2012 after jumping from the stratosphere, died this Thursday, July 17. The athlete’s death was confirmed by his family. Here is everything we know about his passing.
How did Felix Baumgartner die?
According to reports, Baumgartner suffered a paragliding accident in Porto Sant’Elpidio, Italy, where he was vacationing. Around 4:00 p.m. local time, the athlete was flying along the Adriatic coast when he suddenly began to feel unwell, causing him to lose control of the glider and plummet in a free fall.
The impact occurred in a hotel pool, where he struck a woman who was injured in the incident. She was assisted by paramedics and taken to a hospital, where her condition is reported to be stable. As for Baumgartner, reports indicate that he was already deceased at the time of the impact.
How old was Felix Baumgartner?
At the time of his death, the athlete was 56 years old.
Felix Baumgartner’s jump from the stratosphere
Thirteen years ago, Felix Baumgartner performed one of the most impressive feats ever witnessed: he jumped in free fall from the stratosphere, over 39,000 meters high, above the desert of Roswell, New Mexico, USA. This achievement, which pushed the boundaries of science and human endurance, was made possible thanks to a specially designed pressurized suit and a capsule that ascended with the help of a helium balloon to the upper layers of the atmosphere.
After opening the hatch, the Austrian jumped into the void and, within seconds, broke the sound barrier, reaching a speed of 1,342 kilometers per hour. With this mission, he not only became the first person to break the sound barrier without mechanical assistance, but also set several world records, including the highest jump in history.
The feat, sponsored by Red Bull and named “Stratos,” was broadcast live worldwide and captivated millions of viewers. It represented not only a personal triumph for Baumgartner, but also a significant milestone in aerospace research and our understanding of the human body in extreme conditions.
What was Felix Baumgartner’s net worth?
Felix Baumgartner’s net worth was estimated at $5 million.
