Extreme skydiver Felix Baumgartner dies in paragliding accident

Austrian extreme sport athlete Felix Baumgartner died in a paragliding accident in Porto Sant'Elpidio, Italy, on July 17.

According to police reports, the sportsman lost control of his motorised paraglider due to a sudden medical issue while flying over the central Marche region of Italy.

The 56-year-old then fell to the grounds of a hotel complex, near a swimming pool. Rescue services report that the Austrian died instantly.

Massimiliano Ciarpella, the mayor of Porto Sant'Elpidio, offered the town's condolences and described Baumgartner as "a symbol of courage and passion for extreme flights."

The daredevil was famed for his leap from the edge of space to Earth on October 14, 2012, which broke the world record for the highest jump.

In a helium balloon, Baumgartner flew approximately 39 kilometres (24 miles) into the stratosphere before jumping into a free fall and landing in New Mexico (US).

As part of the Red Bull Stratos project, his jump broke several world records: "Fearless Felix" became the first human to break the sound barrier without any form of engine power, reaching 1,357.64 km/h (843.6 mph) on his descent to Earth.

Baumgartner also broke the unofficial record for the highest manned balloon flight of 37,640 m (123,491 ft).

"I'm coming home now," were his last words before leaping off the balloon's edge.

Apart from his pioneer jump, the Austrian engaged in multiple other extreme sports, including BASE jumping, paragliding, and skydiving. He completed his first base jump in 1996, from the New River Gorge Bridge in West Virginia.

Baumgartner became a professional base jumper in 1997 and has since been sponsored by the Austrian beverage producer Red Bull. He is survived by his long-term partner, Mihaela Schwartzenberg.