NewsFinale
  • Home
  • News
  • Local News
  • Business
  • Health
  • Finance
  • Celeb Lifestyle
  • Crime
  • Entertainment
  • Advertise Here
Gleammour AquaFresh
NewsFinale
  • Home
  • News
  • Local News
  • Business
  • Health
  • Finance
  • Celeb Lifestyle
  • Crime
  • Entertainment
  • Advertise Here
Home Local News Trailblazing Supersonic Skydiver Tragically Dies in Italy, Confirms City Mayor

Trailblazing Supersonic Skydiver Tragically Dies in Italy, Confirms City Mayor

The first skydiver to fall faster than the speed of sound dies in crash in Italy, city's mayor says
Up next
Ex-Voice of America employee allegedly threatened to murder Marjorie Taylor Greene and her family
Ex-Voice of America employee allegedly threatened to murder Marjorie Taylor Greene and her family
Published on 17 July 2025
Author
NewsFinale Journal
Share and Follow
FacebookXRedditPinterestWhatsApp


MILAN – Extreme athlete Felix Baumgartner, the first skydiver to fall faster than the speed of sound during a 24-mile leap through the stratosphere more than a decade ago, died in a crash Thursday along the eastern coast of Italy, according to an official where the crash occurred. He was 56.

Italian firefighters who responded said a paraglider crashed into the side of a swimming pool in the city of Porto Sant Elpidio.

The city’s mayor, Massimiliano Ciarpella, confirmed Baumgartner’s death in a social media post.

“Our community is deeply affected by the tragic disappearance of Felix Baumgartner, a figure of global prominence, a symbol of courage and passion for extreme flight,” the mayor said.

Baumgartner, known as “Fearless Felix,” stunned the world in 2012 when he became the first human to break the sound barrier with only his body. He wore a pressurized suit and jumped from a capsule hoisted more than 24 miles (39 kilometers) above Earth by a giant helium balloon over New Mexico.

The Austrian, who was part of the Red Bull Stratos team, topped out at 843.6 mph — the equivalent of 1.25 times the speed of sound — during a nine-minute descent.

“When I was standing there on top of the world, you become so humble, you do not think about of breaking records anymore, you do not think of about gaining scientific data. The only thing you want is to come back alive,” he said after landing in the eastern New Mexico desert.

The altitude he jumped from also marked the highest-ever for a skydiver, shattering the previous record set in 1960 by Joe Kittinger, who served as an adviser to Baumgartner during his feat.

Baumgartner’s altitude record stood for two years until Google executive Alan Eustace set new marks for the highest free-fall jump and greatest free-fall distance​.

In 2012, millions watched YouTube’s livestream as Baumgartner coolly flashed a thumbs-up when he came out of the capsule high above Earth and then activated his parachute as he neared the ground, lifting his arms in victory after he landed.

He later said traveling faster than sound is “hard to describe because you don’t feel it.”

“Sometimes we have to get really high to see how small we are,” he said.

___

Seewer reported from Toledo, Ohio.

Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Share and Follow
FacebookXRedditPinterestWhatsApp
You May Also Like
CAT takes on Chatham County Board of Commissioners in court
  • Local News

CAT Files Lawsuit Against Chatham County Commissioners

SAVANNAH, Ga. () – A legal battle between Chatham Area Transit (CAT)…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • October 8, 2025
Apple iPad 11
  • Local News

Big-ticket items with huge discounts for October Prime Day

BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details. We found…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • October 8, 2025
There are 72% more condo sellers than buyers in the US: Redfin
  • Local News

Condo Sellers Outnumber Buyers by 72% in the US: Redfin Report

(NewsNation) —  If the national housing market is cool, the condo market is…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • October 7, 2025
'We're ready for the next 100'; Business celebrates 100th anniversary in Urbana
  • Local News

‘Urbana Business Marks a Century and Looks Forward to the Next 100 Years’

URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — A Central Illinois business celebrated a milestone over…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • October 8, 2025
MLB approves Rays sale; fans say 'they won't go wrong' if they build stadium in St. Pete
  • Local News

ATL Battery is vision for Rays stadium, new owners want 'as much land as we can get,' location not chosen

TAMPA, Fla (WFLA) — The new owners of the Tampa Bay Rays…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • October 8, 2025
NARWAL Freo X10 Pro Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo
  • Local News

The 100+ best deals of October Prime Day: Dyson, Apple, Samsung and more

BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details. Amazon’s Prime…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • October 8, 2025
Seminole County schools forced to shutter class over ‘racial discrimination’
  • Local News

Seminole County Schools Close Due to Allegations of Racism

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Seminole County Public Schools was required to shut…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • October 8, 2025
Augusta commissioners blast, defend process of creating Charter Committee
  • Local News

Augusta Officials Criticize and Support Charter Committee Formation Process

AUGUSTA, Ga. () – For Augusta city leaders, it’s been building feelings…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • October 8, 2025
'Wicked: For Good': How to get Amazon Prime Early Screening tickets
  • US

“Unlock Early Access: Get Tickets for Amazon Prime’s ‘Wicked: For Good’ Exclusive Screening”

Amazon Prime members can buy tickets to see “Wicked: For Good” on…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • October 8, 2025
The stock market has thrived even with all this economic uncertainty
  • US

Despite Economic Uncertainty, the Stock Market Continues to Prosper

A government shutdown. A weakening labor market. Stubborn inflation. None of it…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • October 8, 2025
Flight delays spread to major airports across US
  • US

Major US Airports Experience Widespread Flight Delays

(The Hill) – Flight delays at major airports across the country occurred…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • October 8, 2025
Texas National Guard in Chicago area: Trump says Johnson, Pritzker 'should be in jail' for 'failing to protect' ICE officers
  • US

Trump Criticizes Chicago Leadership: Claims Johnson and Pritzker Should Face Jail for Failing to Safeguard ICE Officers as Texas National Guard Moves In

CHICAGO (WLS) — President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Chicago Mayor…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • October 8, 2025
NewsFinale Journal
  • Home
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Sitemap
  • DMCA
  • Advertise Here
  • Donate