Watch Felix Baumgartner's historic jump from edge of space after daredevil's tragic death
In a tragic incident whilst paragliding in Italy, legendary stuntman Felix Baumgartner has died aged 56.
The stuntman is said to have crash-landed in a holiday resort's swimming pool in Porto Sant'Elpidio, Fermo, according to local media, sadly injuring an employee who was on the ground.
She has been taken to hospital but is not reported to be in a serious condition. The daredevil is said to have complained of feeling unwell whilst he was paragliding, before the commercially trained pilot lost control of the craft.
The Austrian stuntman shot to fame after embarking on a daredevil jump from the edge of space itself back in 2012.
Felix, it is thought, went into cardiac arrest whilst he was still in the air, and after crashing into the pool, which was filled with playing children, he was rushed by air ambulance to the Torrette Hospital in Ancona. Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, he was pronounced dead.
It was nearly 13 years ago when Felix undertook the stunt for Red Bull Stratos that would quickly catapult him to fame due to its unbelievably risky and high-profile nature - and it took him six years to prepare.
After his many years of preparation, he stood on the very edge of space, poised to jump from 127,852 feet - a whopping 24 miles.
"I'm standing there on top of the world outside of a capsule in space and in the stratosphere. I looked around the sky above me was completely black,' Baumgartner said to CNN Sports, "I was really trying to inhale that moment."
Over eight million people watched the stunt on livestream, and heard the Austrian stuntman utter the now-iconic words, "Sometimes you have to go up to understand how small you are. I'm coming home now."
Felix had to don a pressure space suit for the jump, which broke the sound barrier and, a deeply uncomfortable item, it took him a long time to get used it.
Only able to hear his own breath and feeling totally cut off from the rest of the world once he was wearing it, the stuntman struggled, so he enlisted the help of experts like sports psychologists and psychiatrists to help him build the mental endurance to wear it for many hours at a time.
The suit was not the only difficult aspect of the preparation: there was also the small matter of constructing the apparatus to get Felix up to the edge of space in the first place.
The team designed a helium balloon that was incredibly delicate - and vast. The size of more than 30 football pitches, the material was extremely thin, and could easily be ripped, so it took around 20 people to move it carefully.
The first part of the jump was unlike anything Felix had ever undertaken before, and he was completely unable to train for it. Skydiving in space isn't like a normal skydive - the same gravitational rules don't apply - so for over four minutes he was in total freefall, spinning in one direction, and then another, at ever-increasing speed.
The stuntman couldn't train for this aspect of his daredevil jump, so he found the sensation truly "alarming".
"This was a very alarming moment because there is no protocol," He said, about the jump, which saw him fall towards the earth faster than the speed of sound, at 1357.64 miles per hour. "It's like sailing without wind meaning your skills do not work."
Eventually, conditions returned to familiarity, allowing him to lean into the experience and enjoy it more, and once he was finally able to utilise up his parachute, he could also open his space suit's visor, allowing him to breathe real air for the first time in hours.
Once he was on the ground, he had to wait for confirmation that he had managed to break the record he was looking for and broken the speed of sound, and he was satisfied to learn he had managed it, and that his hard work was not in vain.
"At that moment, I was really happy and satisfied because to me, breaking the speed of sound as a human, the first human in history, that was definitely something," he told CNN.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
30 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Elton John holds 'crisis talks' with Brooklyn Beckham amid ongoing family feud
Elton John has reportedly waded into the family feud between Brooklyn Beckham and his parents David and Victoria, by hosting the couple for a 'crisis' lunch in Cannes. There's been a further development in the ongoing Beckham feud, as Sir Elton John has allegedly stepped in to try and mend the family rift. Brooklyn became has became somewhat estranged from his parents, David and Victoria, in recent months. And now Brooklyn's godfather Sir Elton is reportedly keen to mend bridges between the family. The legendary musician, 78, recently welcomed him and wife Nicola Peltz for lunch in Cannes alongside husband David Furnish. The meeting took place at the La Guerite beach club, where it was said they discussed the fractured family relationships according to reports in the Mirror. "Elton is the showbiz equivalent of Switzerland," a source revealed regarding Elton's efforts. "He's utterly neutral in this row." Although Elton was previously notoriously known for spats, including his infamous one with Madonna in prior years, those around him have suggested he is now laser focused on providing more peaceful surrounds. "Elton of old may have relished in taking sides - in this case his young godson, Brooklyn, but two years off his 80th birthday, he's a man who has seen and done it all. He just wants everyone to be happy," the insider divulged. The source added in discussion with The Sun: "There is no side-taking as such, he simply adores his godson, and really has a laugh with Nicola who he thinks has a great sense of humour." Elton John is said to take his role as godfather seriously, with the insider noting, "He wants to look after them in his role as 'spiritual adviser' as a godfather." "Elton and David think the situation is terribly sad, and has gently suggested to all involved that life is short and to patch things up," they added. Although the ongoing family feud was a hot topic, it wasn't the main discussion over lunch. According to insiders, the group "had a really fun long lunch" in the South of France. Elton and his husband David hosted the gathering at their stunning villa, where Brooklyn and Nicola reportedly engaged in lighter conversation topics after briefly discussing his current family situation. While Elton stuck to sparkling water, Brooklyn enjoyed several beers and his wife Nicola opted for an Aperol Spritz. The couple reportedly feasted on seafood, including La Guerite's signature lobster linguine, which comes with a hefty price tag of £190. Elton generously picked up the tab for the six-person meal. This gathering comes amid rumours of increasing tension and distance between Brooklyn and his family, particularly his parents, David and Victoria and his brothers Romeo and Cruz. It comes after Brooklyn has been missing from key family events in recent months, including David's 50th birthday celebrations and he also remained silent on Father's Day, also appearing to snub his dad's knighthood. There has also been some social media activity hinting at troubled waters, after Romeo, 22, and younger brother Cruz were said to have unfollowed the oldest Beckham brother, hinting towards escalating tentions in the clan.
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Ozzy Osbourne's funeral plans following death as he 'made feelings clear'
Ozzy Osbourne's funeral plans haven't yet been shared, but the Black Sabbath frontman made it clear how he wanted his send-off to go in interviews before his death. Details surrounding Ozzy Osbourne 's death have not as of yet fully been disclosed. His family made the heartbreaking announcement on Tuesday, July 22, that the heavy metal legend had passed away at the age of 76. However prior to his death, the Black Sabbath frontman expressed his funeral wishes and laid bare his expectations in the event of his passing. He cautioned his family and friends that he "definitely don't want a f**king happy song" played during any commemoration. The 76-year-old's death was announced on Tuesday night, just weeks after his reunion gig with his former bandmates in their hometown of Birmingham. Although funeral details are yet to be announced, Ozzy has opened up on numerous occasions about his wishes. Ozzy, father to six kids, said back in 2011 that he wanted the service to be a celebration of his life rather than it being a mournful event, according to reports in the Mirror. "There'll be no harping on the bad times," Ozzy stated in a chat with The Times. "It's worth remembering that a lot of people see nothing but misery their whole lives, so by any measure, most of us in this country - especially rock stars like me - are very lucky. That's why I don't want my funeral to be sad, I want it to be a time to say 'thanks'." Known for his sense of humour, the singer also mentioned that he didn't want his funeral to be a "mope-fest" and confessed he wasn't bothered about what music was played during his final farewell. "I honestly don't care what they play at my funeral; they can put on a medley of Justin Bieber, Susan Boyle and We Are the Diddymen if it makes 'em happy," Ozzy quipped. In another interview in 2016, Ozzy disclosed that he did have some preferences, noting he would like A Day In The Life by the Fab Four playing at his funeral. "I really need a few more years to think this over, but probably something from 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band or Revolver," Ozzy told NME. "I definitely don't want my f**king greatest hits album - I never ever play that thing, I'm f**king embarrassed about it. And I definitely don't want a f**king happy song - I'm dead." Ozzy's death was confirmed by his family in a heartbreaking statement, as they informed the world: "It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time". Earlier this month, Ozzy said goodbye to supporters with a Black Sabbath reunion, telling thousands of heavy metal fans at Birmingham's Villa Park that it was "so good to be on this stage" as he delivered his final performance from a large black throne. Ozzy's passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes from around the globe. Sir Elton John hailed Ozzy Osbourne as a "huge trailblazer" who "secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods". He was joined by Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood and other celebs in honouring the Black Sabbath frontman following his death on Tuesday. Sir Elton shared on Instagram: "So sad to hear the news of Ozzy Osbourne passing away. "He was a dear friend and a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods – a true legend. He was also one of the funniest people I've ever met. I will miss him dearly. To Sharon and the family, I send my condolences and love. Elton xx." Yungblud, who performed Black Sabbath's Changes at the Back To The Beginning farewell concert, expressed being "heartbroken" over the loss, dubbing Ozzy "the greatest of all time". "I didn't think you would leave so soon the last time we met you were so full of life and your laugh filled up the room," he penned in a tribute on social media.
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
Brooklyn Beckham sparks fury over his comment on wife Nicola's naked bathtub snap
Nicola Peltz has shared a photo over herself completely naked to Instagram and Brooklyn's public response to it has not gone down well with fans. Brooklyn Beckham has been criticised by fans over a comment he made on his wife's jaw-dropping naked photo on Instagram. Nicola Peltz, 30, left very little to imagination when she uploaded a completely nude picture of her posing in the bathtub to social media earlier today. The American actress captioned the saucy snap: "Best memories" which she uploaded along with a series of other posey pictures from their holiday. Devoted hubby Brooklyn, 26, gushed in the comment section: "I took the photo in the bath" along with a love heart. However, fans have been left unimpressed with his response, with several calling him out in the comments. Pointing out that his reply was 'totally unnecessary', one joked: "Hey, every time we know you took the photo, don't have to say it every time." Meanwhile, a third wrote: "He has no choice! He has to do everything she says." A fourth user commented: "We get it, you guys love each other. Maybe spend more time telling each other than telling the world." However, there were some more positive responses to Nicola's racy snap, the Mirror reports. One wrote: "Some nasty comments from jealous people! Wow ... be better. They're a beautiful young couple who happen to be rich ! Good luck to them I say." It comes as the ongoing feud between the Peltz Beckhams and the rest of the Beckham clan continues to fire on. Brooklyn and Nicola have shown no signs of reaching out to David and Victoria after a string of brutal snubs throughout the year. This includes their decision to body swerve all of David's 50th celebrations in May and his failure to acknowledge his father's knighthood. Brooklyn and his younger brothers, Romeo and Cruz, also do not follow each other on Instagram as rumours of in-fighting between the siblings continue to swirl. While their fall out battles on, Brooklyn's godfather, Sir Elton John, has reportedly stepped in to try and initiate some peace after hosting the wannabe chef and Nicola in Cannes. The RocketMan icon recently took the young couple for lunch in the celebrity mecca alongside husband David Furnish. The meet up reportedly took place at the upscale La Guerite beach club, where the group reportedly discussed the strained family dynamics. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. A source told the Sun: 'Elton is the showbiz equivalent of Switzerland. He's utterly neutral in this row.' Despite the 76-year-old previously leaning into his own celebrity rivalries, such as his past feud with Madonna, those close to him say he's now more interested in maintaining peace. The source claimed: 'Elton of old may have relished in taking sides - in this case his young godson, Brooklyn, but two years off his 80th birthday, he's a man who has seen and done it all. "He just wants everyone to be happy."
