Extreme athlete Felix Baumgartner, famed as “Fearless Felix”, died at 56 after a tragic accident on Thursday. Hours before his death, the daredevil shared what would become his final posts, hinting at possible trouble.
Baumgartner, known for breaking the sound barrier during his iconic 24-mile Red Bull Stratos jump in 2012, was paragliding over Porto Sant’Elpidio, Italy, when he reportedly suffered a sudden medical emergency and crashed near a hotel pool. Mayor Massimiliano Ciarpella honored him, saying, “Our community is deeply affected by the tragic disappearance of Felix Baumgartner, a symbol of courage and passion for extreme flight.”
On Instagram Stories, Baumgartner posted a Red Bull windsock image with the caption, “Too much wind,” paired with the song Sit and Wait. On his main feed, he shared a video of his paraglider motor with the caption, “Man At Work.”
Tributes have flooded social media. One fan wrote, “This death feels like Steve Irwin’s—unexpected, yet while doing what he loved.” Another added, “He was a beast and died being an absolute badass. Rest easy, Champ.”
Baumgartner’s legacy as a fearless pioneer of extreme sports will live on.
