Latest news with #adrenalinejunkie
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Daily Mail
'Adrenaline junkie' mother died on her first skydive alongside instructor when their 'parachute did not open as expected', inquest hears
A mother described as an 'adrenaline junkie' died on her first skydive - alongside her instructor - when their parachute failed to open as expected, an inquest has heard. Skydive instructor Adam Harrison and Belinda Taylor, who was strapped to him on her first jump, died when the parachute failed to open and they crashed to the ground.
The Sun
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Felix Baumgartner's widow shares footage of fatal paraglider flight as she pays tribute to ‘truly special' partner
FELIX Baumgartner's grieving partner has shared footage of the daredevil's doomed final paragliding flight. The Austrian athlete, 56, most famous for jumping to Earth from the edge of space 2012, tragically lost his life in an accident while on holiday in Porto Sant'Elpidio, Italy, last week. 5 5 5 5 His partner, Michela Radulescu, revealed how she held his hand in his dying moments - after he suffered a suspected cardiac arrest midair and crashed into a hotel swimming pool. A clip shared by his grieving wife shows the moment the adrenaline junkie took off from a field to begin the flight. Wearing shorts and a crash helmet, Felix fires up his propeller pack and runs across the grass - as he had done so many times. The sail fills with air and lifts him up from the ground. Felix soars high into the sky against a cloudless blue sky, getting smaller and smaller. Michela, 55, a Romanian TV presenter, said she watched him disappear, "not knowing that this would be his last flight of his extraordinary life". In a heartbreaking video posted to X, Michela says: "For over 12 years I was there for every take off and landing, from skydiving, paragliding, helicopter flights, paramotor to aerobatic shows. "And when I couldn't be there for some heli flights, we had the WLC code - 'the Wifey Landing Call'. Never missed one. Except …this one." She said that her "truly special" was "going home now, up there, where he was the happiest ever". Describing the moment she lost Felix, Michela said: "He died doing what he loved the most - flying - in a happy place we came for the third time, with me holding his hands and shouting at him to FIGHT. The first fight he lost… Skydiver famous for space jump dies in paragliding tragedy after crashing into pool "Keep telling his story, specially to your kids - in a world full of Dreamers, teach them about the Dreamer who made all his dreams come true, working damn hard for every single one of them." The Red Bull-sponsored athlete became a household name when he jumped to Earth from a space helium balloon in 2012. He set world records for skydiving an estimated 24 miles and reaching an estimated top speed of Mach 1.25 (843.6mph). The stunt also made him the first person ever to break the sound barrier without vehicular power. His own tragic final Instagram post also documented the preparation for the flight. Felix had been flying in a motored paraglider when he is believed to have suffered a "sudden onset of illness." This caused him to lose control, with Baumgartner's glider crashing to the ground and into a hotel swimming pool. He was reportedly killed instantly in the tragic accident. Meanwhile, a hotel employee was also injured during Baumgartner's fall. They were said to be struck by the paraglider as it hit the ground. 5
Daily Mail
18-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
'Adrenaline junkie' surgeon who sued McLaren for £14m over brain injuries he suffered in snowmobile crash loses case after texts emerged of him telling staff 'no worries... s*** happens'
An 'adrenaline junkie' brain surgeon who sued McLaren for £14m after a snowmobile crash has had his case thrown out after post-accident texts emerged of him telling company staff: 'No worries … s*** happens …[do] I owe you guys a snowmobile'. Andrew Cannestra suffered multiple injuries when the skidoo he was riding careered off a forest track in Lapland during a £23,000 luxury break he had taken with his then partner Kaitlin Mealor. The 54-year-old neurosurgeon, who specialises in spinal surgery, struck a tree after negotiating a forest turn and was out cold for 30 minutes following the impact in February 2020. He went on to sue McLaren Automotive Events Ltd, claiming the impact of the crash on his future earnings alone exceeds £14million. But lawyers for McLaren Automotive denied blame, insisting that on-the-spot guides did their utmost to ensure a safe skidoo trip, carefully briefing Mr Cannestra and his partner before they set off. Dismissing the claim, Mr Justice Richie said that Mr Cannestra - who was dubbed an 'adrenaline junkie' by his then partner - had 'wanted more speed' and had caused the crash himself when he 'accidentally hit the gas instead of the brakes'. The briefing he and his partner received before riding had been adequate, the judge said, adding: 'They were both on a McLaren ice driving holiday. Adrenaline cannot have been irrelevant to the experience of driving on ice in a superpowered car. There is nothing wrong in that. Life is for living and excitement and risk are part of that. 'He wanted more speed. He should have understood that being guided at higher speed would be more challenging and risky.' Andrew Cannestra suffered multiple injuries when the skidoo he was riding careered off a forest track in Lapland during a £23,000 luxury break he had taken with his then partner Kaitlin Mealor Neil Block KC - for Mr Cannestra - had told London's High Court that both riders were 'absolute novices' and argued their guides should have done more to explain the detailed layout of their route through the forest. The surgeon crashed after a pause in the journey during which his guide had changed the drive mode so that the doctor's snowmobile could hit higher speeds. The impact resulted in a brain haemorrhage and severe leg injuries, causing lasting problems with 'word-finding, comprehension, memory and fatigue' and worsening his previous hand tremor. Mr Cannestra, who was earning around £1.8million per year, has had to give up brain surgery, although his lawyers say he 'continues to work to a limited extent.' His KC claimed the lead guide 'rode at an excessive speed for a novice rider to follow safely'. But Matthew Chapman KC - for McLaren Automotive - argued that Mr Cannestra had appeared a competent rider and fully in control of his snowmobile, adding that he had seemed 'eager' for his vehicle to be switched to a faster travel mode. In his ruling, the judge pointed out that the surgeon had sent a post-accident text to McLaren staff, saying: 'No worries… s*** happens… I asked... if I owe you guys a snowmobile, or any other costs. Please let me know. It was my error and my responsibility.' In another, he wrote: 'Thank you both so much for your help yesterday and thru my little self destructive snowmobile behaviour. Please let me know anything I am responsible for.... transport.... a snowmobile..... etc. we had a great time and all is good!' In his evidence, Mr Cannestra had insisted his post accident messages did not amount to an admission of fault, also taking issue with any image of him being a thrill-seeker. And although conceding he is a passionate classic car fan - having owned up to 33 at various times in the past - he explained that he never raced his vehicles, restricting himself to 'collecting and restoring them'. But dismissing his claim, the judge said: 'Whilst the claimant was in Lapland on an expensive four-day driving experience for McLaren road cars on ice, he chose to drive a snowmobile as part of the ancillary fun activities provided by McLaren. 'He was following a guide round a snowy track through trees, but he lost control, drove off the track and hit a tree. He was injured. At first, he thought it was all his own fault, apologised and offered to pay for the smashed up snow mobile. 'A few months later, he instructed solicitors and by the end of July 2020 a pre-action protocol letter was written by his solicitors, to McLaren's solicitors, asserting negligence/breach of contract by the guide and claiming damages for personal injuries. 'After the accident, the claimant told the guide his glove had become stuck to the throttle. The claimant had sent a message offering to pay for the snowmobile because it was, using his words, "my error and my responsibility" and caused by "my little self destructive snowmobile behaviour". 'Negligence was denied. The cause of the crash was pleaded as the claimant accidentally accelerating whilst negotiating [a turn] instead of braking. 'I did not find Kaitlin Mealor's evidence to be of much assistance. She appeared to me to be playing a wing person role to support her ex-partner. 'I was not persuaded by her denial of the the accident about the claimant being an adrenaline junkie who was always getting into accidents. 'This conversation may be put into context. The claimant had bought two McLaren road cars, which are up the top of the list of the most powerful vehicles on roads worldwide. 'They were both on a McLaren ice driving holiday. Adrenaline cannot have been irrelevant to the experience of driving on ice in a superpowered car. There is nothing wrong in that. Life is for living and excitement and risk are part of that. 'He wanted more speed. He should have understood that being guided at higher speed would be more challenging and risky. I consider that he did understand this. He also understood that they would go through trees. 'I consider that about five minutes was an appropriate length for a briefing for just two customers. I find that the briefing complied with local Finnish standards. 'At the ambulance in the car park, he told [the guide] that he accidentally pressed the throttle in the middle of turn two and blamed his glove. 'At hospital, he told a medic he accidentally hit the gas instead of the brakes. He considered that he himself was the cause of the accident. He did not blame [the guide] for rushing him or disappearing. 'He reached turn two and turned through 25 degrees, then squeezed or pushed the throttle by mistake with his right hand and shot straight forwards into a tree. In whatever mode, that accidental throttle use would have caused him to go straight off the track.' He said the guide was not dealing with a '17-year-old new car driver' who had just passed their driving test, adding: 'He was guiding a mature, supercar and jet-ski aficionado, who had ridden confidently and wanted more speed. The claimant was prepared to leave his partner behind to increase his own enjoyment. 'The claim will be dismissed and judgment will be entered for the defendant,' the judge concluded.
The Independent
18-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
Brain surgeon loses £14m snowmobile holiday crash claim after text messages read in court
An "adrenaline junkie" brain surgeon who sued McLaren for £14m after a snowmobile crash has had his case thrown out after post-accident texts emerged of him telling company staff 'No worries … sh*t happens …[do] I owe you guys a snowmobile". High-flying neurosurgeon Andrew Cannestra suffered multiple injuries when the skidoo he was riding careered off a forest track in Lapland during a £23,000 luxury break booked through the Pure McLaren Arctic Experience for him and his then partner, Kaitlin Mealor. The 54-year-old medic, who specialises in spinal surgery, struck a tree after negotiating a forest turn and was out cold for 30 minutes following the impact in February 2020. He went on to sue McLaren Automotive Events Ltd, claiming the impact of the crash on his future earnings alone exceeds £14m. But lawyers for McLaren Automotive denied blame, insisting that on-the-spot guides did their utmost to ensure a safe skidoo trip, carefully briefing Mr Cannestra and his partner before they set off. Dismissing the claim, Mr Justice Richie said that Mr Cannestra - who was dubbed an "adrenaline junkie" by his then partner - had "wanted more speed" and had caused the crash himself when he "accidentally hit the gas instead of the brakes". The briefing he and his partner received before riding had been adequate, the judge said, adding: "They were both on a McLaren ice driving holiday. Adrenaline cannot have been irrelevant to the experience of driving on ice in a superpowered car. There is nothing wrong in that. Life is for living and excitement and risk are part of that. "He wanted more speed. He should have understood that being guided at higher speed would be more challenging and risky." Neil Block KC - for Mr Cannestra - had told London's High Court that both riders were 'absolute novices' and argued their guides should have done more to explain the detailed layout of their route through the forest. The surgeon crashed after a pause in the journey during which his guide had changed the drive mode so that the doctor's snowmobile could hit higher speeds. The impact resulted in a brain haemorrhage and severe leg injuries, causing lasting problems with 'word-finding, comprehension, memory and fatigue' and worsening his previous hand tremor. Mr Cannestra, who was earning around £1.8m per year, has had to give up brain surgery, although his lawyers say he 'continues to work to a limited extent.' Mr Cannestra's KC claimed the lead guide 'rode at an excessive speed for a novice rider to follow safely'. But Matthew Chapman KC - for McLaren Automotive - argued that Mr Cannestra had appeared a competent rider and fully in control of his snowmobile, adding that he had seemed 'eager' for his vehicle to be switched to a faster travel mode. In his ruling, the judge pointed out that the surgeon had sent a post-accident text to McLaren staff, saying: 'No worries … sh*t happens … I asked ... if I owe you guys a snowmobile, or any other costs. Please let me know. It was my error and my responsibility." In another, he wrote: "Thank you both so much for your help yesterday and thru my little self destructive snowmobile behaviour. Please let me know anything I am responsible for.... transport.... a snowmobile..... etc. we had a great time and all is good!' In his evidence, Mr Cannestra had insisted his post accident messages did not amount to an admission of fault, also taking issue with any image of him being a thrill-seeker. And although conceding he is a passionate classic car fan - having owned up to 33 at various times in the past - he explained that he never raced his vehicles, restricting himself to 'collecting and restoring them'. But dismissing his claim, the judge said: "Whilst the claimant was in Lapland on an expensive four-day driving experience for McLaren road cars on ice, he chose to drive a snowmobile as part of the ancillary fun activities provided by McLaren. "He was following a guide round a snowy track through trees, but he lost control, drove off the track and hit a tree. He was injured. At first, he thought it was all his own fault, apologised and offered to pay for the smashed up snow mobile. "A few months later, he instructed solicitors and by the end of July 2020 a pre-action protocol letter was written by his solicitors, to McLaren's solicitors, asserting negligence/breach of contract by the guide and claiming damages for personal injuries. "After the accident, the claimant told the guide his glove had become stuck to the throttle. The claimant had sent a message offering to pay for the snowmobile because it was, using his words, 'my error and my responsibility' and caused by 'my little self destructive snowmobile behaviour.' "Negligence was denied. The cause of the crash was pleaded as the claimant accidentally accelerating whilst negotiating [a turn] instead of braking. "I did not find Kaitlin Mealor's evidence to be of much assistance. She appeared to me to be playing a wing person role to support her ex-partner. "I was not persuaded by her denial of the the accident about the claimant being an adrenaline junkie who was always getting into accidents. "This conversation may be put into context. The claimant had bought two McLaren road cars, which are up the top of the list of the most powerful vehicles on roads worldwide. "They were both on a McLaren ice driving holiday. Adrenaline cannot have been irrelevant to the experience of driving on ice in a superpowered car. There is nothing wrong in that. Life is for living and excitement and risk are part of that. "He wanted more speed. He should have understood that being guided at higher speed would be more challenging and risky. I consider that he did understand this. He also understood that they would go through trees. "I consider that about five minutes was an appropriate length for a briefing for just two customers. I find that the briefing complied with local Finnish standards. "At the ambulance in the car park, he told [the guide] that he accidentally pressed the throttle in the middle of turn two and blamed his glove. "At hospital, he told a medic he accidentally hit the gas instead of the brakes. He considered that he himself was the cause of the accident. He did not blame [the guide] for rushing him or disappearing. "He reached turn two and turned through 25 degrees, then squeezed or pushed the throttle by mistake with his right hand and shot straight forwards into a tree. In whatever mode, that accidental throttle use would have caused him to go straight off the track." He said the guide was not dealing with a "17-year-old new car driver " who had just passed their driving test, adding: "He was guiding a mature, supercar and jet-ski aficionado, who had ridden confidently and wanted more speed. The claimant was prepared to leave his partner behind to increase his own enjoyment. "The claim will be dismissed and judgment will be entered for the defendant," the judge concluded.
News.com.au
14-07-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
Daredevil's world record cliff jump attempt ends in horror injuries
A young adrenaline junkie has landed himself in hospital after jumping off a 42.5 metre cliff in an attempt to beat a world record. Vali Graham is a keen participant in døds — an extreme sport also known as death diving — and on June 11, attempted to break the current record from the top of Minnehaha Falls in the Blue Mountains. In pre-jump footage, the 21-year-old is seen yelling and flexing in a bid to get ready for the giant leap before him. Throwing himself off the cliff face, Mr Graham is captured freefalling for mere seconds before hitting the waterhole below in a 'pike' formation – knocking himself unconscious and sustaining a burst eardrum, fractured vertebrae, sternum, and skull in the process. Days later, he took to social media to thank 'God', his friends and family for a miraculous recovery. 'Update: 'God gives us the gift of suffering' after sending this monster 42.5m cliff I was knocked unconscious,' the Newcastle local wrote. 'After regaining consciousness I pulled myself out of the water and walked a steep 1.2km out to our car where my friends took me to hospital. 'The support was amazing, I've had surgery on my back and sternum and was walking 2 days after surgery,' he said. 'Back at home now, on my feet and grateful for life, good friends, family and God. 'A set back is an opportunity to show how bad your (sic) really want it and I am honestly mentally feeling amazing, ready to rebuild my body better than ever and come back stronger, a long way to go but excited for the journey.' Many, however, did not share the same sentiment on Mr Graham's setback, instead commenting on why he did not mention the doctors that had cared for him and performed the lifesaving surgeries. ''Grateful for God' dude you jumped from the height of a 13 storey building and now my taxes have to pay for your dumb choices,' one social media user said. Another added: 'Why, in that big caption did you not thank the doctors a single time. 'Lots of thanking god but not the humans that actually operated on you.' 'What about the healthcare staff who actually treated your self inflicted injuries … it definitely wasn't 'god'!' a third wrote. 'God didn't give you that suffering, you did that yourself,' a fourth said. Others expressed concern for the safety of the sport itself. 'Insane, you walked 1.2km with all those injuries … you do what you love, but a little caution here and there is very healthy man,' one fan commented. 'We are approaching the first 50m 'døds'/'death dive', slowly, but surely,' another said. 'And I'm pretty sure we're reaching the upper limit. 'Someone is probably loosing their life in the pursuit of the world record/breaking new barriers.' The official freestyle world record is currently held by 23-year-old Swiss diver Lucien Charlon at 41.7m.
