The Man Who Fell from Space Is Gone, but His Legacy Soars

Felix Baumgartner, the record‑breaking Austrian daredevil, died on July 17 at age 56 in a paragliding accident along Italy’s Adriatic coast

He reportedly lost control mid‑air—possibly after a medical issue—and crashed into a hotel swimming pool at Porto Sant’Elpidio, dying instantly

The town’s mayor mourned Baumgartner as “a symbol of courage and passion for extreme flight”

In 2012, Felix jumped from ~39 km above Earth and became the first human to break the sound barrier in freefall at Mach 1.25

From BASE jumps off landmarks to flying across the English Channel with a carbon‑fiber wing—his feats redefined human limits

Just hours before his death, he posted an Instagram story warning: “Too much wind,” hinting at rough conditions

While he’s gone, Felix’s courage continues to inspire extreme‑sports enthusiasts worldwide, forever the "God of the Skies"