Felix Baumgartner dead

[g4ry13]

Felix Baumgartner has died in a paragliding accident today.

The guy has previously jumped from space becoming the first person to break the sound barrier (not using a vehicle) and flew across the English Channel with a wing attached to him. Also holds the record for the lowest BASE jump (although I think that record doesn't count).

Edited by g4ry13 on Thursday 17th July 20:40

[595Heaven]

Just saw this on X

What a bloody shame. I remember watching him jump and being mightily impressed with his bravery

RIP

[Composite Guru]

This is a big shame.

I met him when I worked at Red Bull F1. Genuinely a nice guy.

At least he died doing something he loved doing.

[airbusA346]

RIP

Articles are saying he became ill while in the air and lost control. A female hotel employee was also injured in the accident.

https://orf.at/stories/3399981/

https://www.tageszeitung.it/2025/07/17/felix-baumg...

[Gareth79]

56 is a good age for such a crazy dude though!

[Mazinbrum]

I saw him flying his helicopter at an air show the beginning of last month. Brilliant show and he looked cool AF when he stepped out of the helicopter in his flying suit and aviators. A real life action man.

[CountyLines]

He lived a proper life.

[towser44]

That parachute jump from space was amazing, remember watching it on TV in awe. RIP Felix :-(

[768]

Shame. Total legend though.

[gotoPzero]

Damn. Well, he defo lived life to the limit.

[g4ry13]

airbusA346 said:

RIP

Articles are saying he became ill while in the air and lost control. A female hotel employee was also injured in the accident.

https://orf.at/stories/3399981/

https://www.tageszeitung.it/2025/07/17/felix-baumg...

Paragliding is relatively safe compared to some of the stuff he did. But it sounds like he had a cardiac arrest whilst doing it.

[McGee_22]

I remember watching the jump from the stratosphere streamed live on YouTube - it was jaw dropping, death defying and almost superhuman all rolled into one. Breaking the speed of sound at Mach 1.25 in just a spacesuit and parachute - balls of titanium.

I also remember how much he relied on the advice and friendship of Joseph Kittinger who had previously held the sky dive record back in the 1960’s. They talked all the way up to the drop and through the drop too iirc.

[Jim H]

What a shame. I was hugely impressed by his leap of faith from space, massive, massive gonads. I remember watching it live gobsmacked.

If you visit the gates often enough, one day they will open.

I remember watching a documentary about the preparation for the epic jump from space. What really struck me was at one point, Felix was having very real trouble overcoming his fear, particularly around the claustrophobia he was experiencing wearing the pressurised suit. It took a lot of coaching from Joe Kittinger to help him overcome it. Most probably would never have.

I see it’s being speculated in a few outlets that Felix was experiencing possible medical issues prior to the accident. You have to consider Felix big heart, surely must have been put through its paces many times in his life.

RIP Fearless Felix, the personification of Daredevil.

Edited by Jim H on Friday 18th July 06:28

Edited by Jim H on Friday 18th July 06:35

[Pupp]

Really does lend credence to the adage that a light that burns twice as bright burns half as long…

What a life ‘though and the world is poorer for his passing; sad the see this news but glad I was around to see his exploits reported. Remarkable man

[Djtemeka]

gotoPzero said:

Damn. Well, he defo lived life to the limit.

Slightly past the limit going by the recent news

[Puddenchucker]

Jim H said:

What a shame. I was hugely impressed by his leap of faith from space, massive, massive gonads. I remember watching it live gobsmacked.

It takes a certain degree of courage & craziness to do this:



RIP

[Mabbs9]

Also from the articles, I hadn't appreciated that his jump had been bettered in 2014 by Alan Eustace. I don't recall hearing a bean about that.

[Jim H]

Mabbs9 said:

Also from the articles, I hadn't appreciated that his jump had been bettered in 2014 by Alan Eustace. I don't recall hearing a bean about that.

Yes I agree with you on that. Maybe because Felix did it first, Alan just went a bit higher.

[Jim H]

Puddenchucker said:

Jim H said:

What a shame. I was hugely impressed by his leap of faith from space, massive, massive gonads. I remember watching it live gobsmacked.

It takes a certain degree of courage & craziness to do this:



RIP

It’s a superb photo isn’t it? Just really puts it all in perspective.

As I’ve said watching it live was incredible.

[ScotHill]

Jim H said:

Mabbs9 said:

Also from the articles, I hadn't appreciated that his jump had been bettered in 2014 by Alan Eustace. I don't recall hearing a bean about that.

Yes I agree with you on that. Maybe because Felix did it first, Alan just went a bit higher.

I think because Baumgartner had all the tech and promotion from Red Bull, Eustace was just tethered beneath weather balloon, it wasn’t quite the same spectacle. I do remember it when it happened, but I don’t think Baumgartner was too bothered by it, had moved onto other things by then.