The extreme sports stars paying the ultimate price for their passion: How top Base jumpers, paragliders and mountain bikers have died living out their dreams in deadly summer

Daily Mail​

2 days ago

They soared through the skies, hurled themselves off cliffs, and pushed their bodies to the limit all in the name of adrenaline.
But with every jump, fly, or take-off comes the horrific possibility that it could be the last one.
For some of the world's most daring thrill-seekers, the quest for the ultimate rush ended in tragedy.
This summer, a string of elite extreme sports stars have died in horrifying accidents across Europe, with their final moments captured on camera.
From the Swiss Alps to the Dolomites, these athletes lived and died by chasing the edge, no matter the cost.
On July 16, a 50-year-old wingsuit enthusiast died after he smashed into a rocky edge after he jumped at Sex Rouge in Western Switzerland.
Last week, a 33-year-old American man lost his life after hitting a cliff in the Dents de Morcles, also in Switzerland, while wingsuit flying.
According to local reports, he was part of a group of four who were practising the sport. However, he was destabilised when a gust of wind sent him into a sloping area.
Here, we look at some other extreme sports fanatics who have lost their lives.
Paragliding tragedy
Austrian extreme‑sports legend Felix Baumgartner died on 17 July 2025 at 56 during a paragliding flight over the Adriatic coast in Porto Sant'Elpidio, central Italy.
According to local police and reports verified by Italian emergency services, he lost control of his motorised paraglider at around 4pm, spiralled downward and crashed into the swimming‑pool area of a hotel complex.
He was pronounced dead at the scene. A hotel employee suffered minor injuries when he hit her while falling.
Officials and the town mayor, Massimiliano Ciarpella, suggested a possible medical episode mid‑flight may have triggered the loss of control.
Red Bull and Austrian public broadcasters confirmed the death and expressed heartfelt sympathy.
Italian prosecutors opened an investigation to determine whether a mechanical defect or a sudden health crisis preceded the crash.
Baumgartner shot to international fame in 2012 when he completed a supersonic free‑fall from nearly 39 km above Earth as part of the Red Bull Stratos project.
He became the first human to break the sound barrier without a vehicle, recording a free‑fall speed of over 1,343 km/h.
His career spanned BASE jumps from iconic structures like the Petronas Towers and the Christ the Redeemer statue, and wingsuit crossings of major landmarks.
650ft mountain bike plunge
Extreme cyclist Andreas Tonelli was known for his nail-biting rides atop some of the world's most famous mountains.
But on July 15, he tragically lost his life when he fell 650 feet to his death at 48.
Shortly after his death, chilling footage emerged of his last ride during a solo ride in Italy's Vallelunga region.
The video, filmed by a drone accompanying the 48-year-old, captures the terrifying fall along a near-vertical slope in Val Gardena last Tuesday evening.
Tonelli, a beloved figure in the outdoor sports world, failed to return home after the ride, prompting a desperate search by a concerned friend.
His body was recovered by firefighters and mountain rescuers.
Originally from Fiè allo Sciliar, Tonelli had abandoned a desk job in 2014 to follow his passion for outdoor adventure.
He became a full-time cycling guide and sports trip organiser, earning a loyal online following and a reputation for breathtaking photography and daring rides.
He was known not just for his feats on two wheels, but also for his love of nature and adrenaline. His tragic end has rocked the global biking community.
Harness disaster
On July 25, daredevil highliner Gustavo Guimarães fell 165 feet to his death at Usina Waterfall in Alto Paraíso de Goiás in Brazil.
Those who practice the sport walk across a slackline often suspended at dizzying heights and usually between cliffs, mountains, or buildings.
Even though he was wearing a safety harness, it was later discovered that it had not been clipped in.
According to police, two possibilities may have contributed to the tragedy - either he forgot to attach the leash to his harness, or it came undone by itself.
The 29-year-old had already walked across the highline, but disaster struck while he was on his way back.
An official said: 'Tourists passing by saw him walking to the far end, where the line was anchored.
'On his way back, he fell and tried to grab the webbing, but couldn't hold on.'
Guimarães often took videos of his activities for social media. One nail-biting clip shows him balancing on a thin slackline while highlining.
Mountain collapse
Slava Leykind, 43, collapsed and died during an extreme 'Everesting' event on Snow King Mountain, Wyoming, on 2 July 2025.
The endurance challenge involved climbing the steep 1,500-foot slope repeatedly until participants reached the elevation of Mount Everest, 29,032 feet.
Leykind had completed six gruelling ascents before suffering cardiac arrest. Emergency services responded quickly, and he was transported to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Centre.
Despite efforts to revive him, he was pronounced dead that evening.
It was later confirmed that the cause of death was cardiac arrest caused by electrolyte imbalance.
Born in Belarus and based in Connecticut, Leykind was a married father of three and a successful banking executive.
Outside of work, he was obsessed with mountain fitness, frequently training on trails and documenting his adventures online.
Friends described him as a man who 'thrived on discomfort' and pushed his body beyond its limits.
His death shocked the endurance community. Organisers of the event paid tribute, saying Leykind had shown 'unmatched resolve and commitment.'
His family released a heartfelt statement calling him 'our superhero, on the mountain and at home.'
He is survived by his wife and three young children. His final ascent was part of a climb that demanded both extreme fitness and mental grit, a tribute, some say, to the man he was.
BASE jumper's death
Just weeks later, on July 16, Australian BASE jumper James Nowland was killed in front of spectators during a race from the towering Sass Pordoi in Italy's Dolomites.
The 42-year-old was taking part in the prestigious Pordoi Base Race when his parachute malfunctioned mid-jump.
He missed the landing zone by 400 metres and crashed into a steep slope.
Despite efforts from rescue teams, he died from his injuries.
Tributes poured in for the experienced daredevil, who had travelled across the world to take part in the race.
Friends described him as 'one of the safest jumpers' and a 'true legend of the sport.'
His wife, Candice, released a statement saying: 'James was a greatly respected member of the BASE jumping community, having done the sport for over 10 years.
'His family meant everything to him.'
Mountain tragedy
Celebrated biathlete Laura Dahlmeier, 31, died on 30 July 2025 following an injury while climbing in the Karakoram Mountains of Pakistan.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist, who retired from competitive sport in 2019, was on an expedition with a climbing partner at an altitude of 18,700 feet when she was struck by a sudden falling rock.
Local rescue teams were alerted shortly after the incident, but extreme altitude and difficult weather delayed their efforts.
Her death was confirmed by her representatives and German news agencies. It has now been reported that her body will be left on the mountain to respect her wishes.
Before her demise, she had asked that nobody should risk their life to rescue her or recover her body in case they were an accident.
Dahlmeier had embraced mountain pursuits after retirement, completing alpine runs, long-distance hikes and high-altitude climbs.
She was regarded as one of the greatest biathletes of all time, having won seven World Championship titles and two Olympic gold medals at PyeongChang 2018.
Hang-gliding accident
On July 13, a seasoned hang-glider pilot died in a horrific 130-foot plunge moments after taking off from a popular mountain ramp in Brazil, with the chilling final seconds captured on video and shared widely online.
Marcelo Arboz Diniz, 54, had just launched from the scenic Morro Santo Antonio in Caraguatatuba when something went terribly wrong.
Footage shows the experienced flyer standing at the edge of the mountain, harnessed in and ready, before stepping off the launch ramp and soaring into the sky.
The glider dipped low, as expected, then gained height again while banking gently to the left.
But suddenly, the aircraft began to lose altitude. Diniz tried to steer, adjusting his position midair, but the hang-glider lurched sideways and then dropped sharply.
Within seconds, it plummeted through the treetops, vanishing into the dense forest canopy below.
Emergency responders scrambled to reach the remote crash site, located deep in a heavily wooded area.
They found Diniz's body among the wreckage and confirmed he had died at the scene from multiple traumatic injuries.
Local authorities believe a possible equipment failure may have triggered the fatal fall.
Police have since opened an investigation to determine exactly what went wrong during the ill-fated flight.
Cycling accident
Italian under-23 cyclist Samuele Privitera, 19, died after a devastating crash during stage one of the Giro della Valle d'Aosta in Pontey, Aosta Valley, on 16 July 2025.
Privitera lost control during a descent while travelling at around 70 km/h.
He struck a road bump or ridge, which reportedly caused him to be thrown from his bike. His helmet dislodged, and he collided head-first with a gate.
He was immediately taken to hospital but died from severe head trauma.
Race organisers immediately cancelled stage two and held a minute of silence before stage three began.
Privitera was considered one of Italy's brightest cycling talents.
He had just begun racing in the under-23 category and had impressed talent scouts from several pro tour teams.
In a statement, his team said: 'Samuele was and always will be the life and personality of this team. This team has always been a small family, and moments like this are unimaginable.
'He was irreplaceable. His joy, his spirit, his kindness, was always a bright light to whatever room or race that he was in at that moment.'