Extreme athlete Felix Baumgartner dies tragically in paragliding accident

Extreme athlete Felix Baumgartner dies tragically in paragliding accident

Porto Sant’Elpidio, Italien - Felix Baumgartner, the well-known Austrian extreme athlete, died in a tragic paragliding accident on Thursday in Porto Sant’elpidio, Italy. He was 56 years old and is one of the most outstanding personalities in extreme sports internationally. Baumgartner was in the air with an engine paraglimger when he lost control of the aircraft. According to reports, his discomfort was found as the cause of the loss of control, which caused him to fall into a hotel pool and died immediately after the impact. A hotel employee who was injured during the fall had to be taken to the hospital with neck injuries. His wife was nearby at the time of the accident and was informed immediately.

Just a few hours before the accident, Baumgartner had released a selfie with his paraglider over the Adriatic coast on Facebook. He also posted a video on Instagram in which he flown with his engine slide shield. In his last Instagram story, he expressed that there was "too much wind", which in retrospect assumes tragic importance.

a life in the extreme

Felix Baumgartner was not only a hobby athlete, but a living legend in extreme sports with remarkable achievements. He became particularly known for his stratospheric jump in 2012, in which he rose with a helium balloon at an altitude of almost 39 kilometers and then jumped. For this jump he put up three world records and attracted the admiration of many sports enthusiasts.

The Baumgartner accident takes a look at the dangers of extreme and risk sport. As explained on Gesundheit.gv.at, athletes consciously expose themselves to test their personal limits and to find intensive experiences. At the same time, they are aware of the risks and often train specifically to avoid accidents.

risk sport and its challenges

Especially in the area of risk sport, accidents are not uncommon. Statistics show that most leisure accidents in popular sports such as football, skiing and snowboarding happen. Men in particular are often affected, while hobby athletes are often inadequate, which can lead to injuries. In contrast, professional extreme athletes do not seek the risk, but try to master them to improve their skills under extreme conditions.

Passion and motivations for extreme sports are diverse. Often the desire for intensive experiences, dealing with fears and the search for personal growth are in the foreground. These are aspects that can also strengthen the attitude to life and self -esteem, as many athletes confirm.

Felix Baumgartner's tragic end will also encourage dialogue about security and challenges in extreme and risk sports. It remains to be seen whether this will be discussed and against this sport after his death. However, his legacy as one of the most important extreme athletes will live on in the history of sport.

For more information about Felix Baumgartner and the background of his tragic accident, visit the articles on Krone and n-tv.