Daredevil famous for ‘edge of space' skydive dies in crash
According to officials, Baumgartner lost control of his motorised paraglider while flying over Porto Sant'Elpidio, a coastal town in the Marche region, and plunged to the ground near a hotel's swimming pool.
A woman on the ground was reportedly injured in the incident, though her injuries are not considered life-threatening.
The reason for the accident is still unknown.
The local mayor, Massimiliano Ciarpella, said reports suggested he may have suffered a sudden medical issue mid-air.
He offered the town's condolences over the death of a 'symbol of courage and passion for extreme flights.'
In October 2012, Baumgartner captured international attention when he leapt from a balloon 38km above Earth's surface, becoming the first person to skydive faster than the speed of sound, which is generally greater than 1100km/h. Baumgartner jumps out from the capsule during the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, New Mexico, USA on October 14, 2012. EPA/Red Bull Stratos Credit: ED / EPA
The record-setting descent took place over Roswell, New Mexico, where he accelerated to more than 1343km/h.
Remarkably, this feat coincided with the 65th anniversary of American aviator Chuck Yeager's historic breaking of the sound barrier on October 14, 1947.
More to come...
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7NEWS
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Aussie teens help mastermind ‘mind-boggling' upset to win 4x100m freestyle gold as Kyle Chalmers leads men to victory
Australian swimming legend Ian Thorpe has praised the country's rebuilding 4x100m women's freestyle relay team after they pulled off a shock victory over the US at the world championships in Singapore. Mollie O'Callaghan, Meg Harris, Milla Jansen and Olivia Wunsch entered Sunday night's final in Singapore with a nothing-to-lose approach against hot favourites the US. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Aussie teens mastermind 'mind-boggling' upset to win gold. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today The tactic worked a treat, with Wunsch reeling in star American Torri Huske in the final 50m to produce a huge upset victory and a first gold medal for Australia at the 2025 world championships. Thorpe praised Australia's efforts, especially considering they did it without retired star Emma McKeon. Wunsch (19 years old) and Jansen (18) are still teenagers, leaving Harris (23) and O'Callaghan is (21) as the relay team's leaders in Singapore. 'It is really difficult to be able to find someone to match our most successful Olympian we've ever seen (in) Emma McKeon. She's not there,' Thorpe said. 'Cate Campbell's not there. Bronte Campbell's not there. 'But what we do have in Australia is the consistency in this race, that it's tough to make this team. 'And what I'm most impressed with is ... how they could lift for the entire team in this race. Amazing stuff.' Thorpe heaped special praise on Olympic gold medallist Harris, who produced 50m splits of 24.34s and 27.53s across her 100m leg to be the fastest Australian. 'Her split was mind-boggling,' Thorpe said on Nine. O'Callaghan said the win came as a shock given how young the team is. 'I knew it was going be a very tough year, like we've had so many rookies come through, and it's great to see them,' she said. 'They're trying to gain experience, and it's amazing to see them step up and perform. 'We didn't really have expectations on this meet, especially for this 4x100m. 'It was just about gaining experience, setting up for the next four years. But I'm incredibly proud of these three amazing women, and the two others who swam in the heats.' The Australian men were just as impressive, with the quartet of Kyle Chalmers, Flynn Southam, Kai Taylor and Maximillian Giuliani posting a world championship-record time of 3:08.97 to defeat Italy (3:09.58) and the fading US (3:09.64). Chalmers started from behind in the final leg before producing a powerful swim to lift Australia to victory. 'We've all been able to swim really well individually or split great times at different points, but it's been a matter of doing it all together at the same time, which I think we were able to do tonight,' Chalmers said. 'And like I said to the boys, it's all about now just getting it right in LA in three years time, and standing on the top of the podium there. 'It'd be really nice to be able to do that.' Monday's early action will feature 16-year-old Sienna Toohey and Ella Ramsay in the women's 100m breaststroke heats, Kaylee McKeown in the 100m backstroke heats, Josh Edwards-Smith in the men's 100m backstroke, and Lani Pallister in the women's 1500m freestyle.
Perth Now
4 hours ago
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It's mind boggling: Ian Thorpe blown away by upset win
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Sydney Morning Herald
6 hours ago
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