Authorities have disclosed new information regarding the sudden passing of Felix Baumgartner, following worldwide tributes to the Austrian adventurer.
Felix Baumgartner gained international fame for his remarkable stunt in 2012, where he descended to Earth from a helium balloon in space. This daring act earned him the world record for ‘Longest Vertical Distance of Free-fall without drogue’.
Tragically, the 56-year-old’s death was confirmed last week after a paragliding accident occurred in the eastern Italian town of Porto Sant’Elpidio on July 17.
Initial local media reports stated that Baumgartner lost consciousness mid-flight, which led to him losing control of the paraglider and crashing into a hotel pool, causing minor injuries to a hotel staff member.
Further details about the incident and the cause of death have now been confirmed by authorities.
Attorney General Raffaele Iannella, who is overseeing the investigation into Baumgartner’s death, shared with the German publication BILD that autopsies are being conducted on the daredevil’s body.
Iannella stated: “What we know for sure so far: Baumgartner died on impact, his spine fractured in the lower part of his back, and his spinal cord was damaged.”
The investigation team is also examining the factors that led to the crash and plans to provide more details later.
In the wake of his passing, Baumgartner’s wife, Mihaela Radulescu Schwartzenberg, posted the video of his last takeoff on Twitter.
She accompanied the footage with a heartfelt tribute, writing: “I was filming him taking off not knowing that this will be his last flight of his extraordinary life.
“For over 12y 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 expressed her gratitude for the support and acknowledged the grief she anticipates facing, stating: “Felix Baumgartner is going home now, up there, where he was the happiest ever.
“Thank you all for your support and for keeping his unique legacy high up. This man was truly special, in so many ways, and I’ll make sure I’ll keep telling his story.
“But now…., I have to deal with the shock, the pain, the sunrises where I get to make just one coffee, not two…”