GoPro footage shows moment Felix Baumgartner fell from space to Earth at almost 900mph as daredevil dies
Epic footage of daredevil Felix Baumgartner jumping from space onto the surface of the Earth has resurfaced following his tragic death.
Baumgartner sadly died following a paragliding accident in Le Marche, Italy, yesterday afternoon (17 July).
The 56-year-old Austrian is said to have crashed into the pool of Le Mimose campsite, before losing consciousness and going into cardiac arrest.
The stuntman had travelled around six miles from his starting point in Fermo before the accident took place, though it remains unknown what caused the veteran flyer to lose control.
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Baumbartner is reported to have felt unwell before taking off and had just shared a video on his Instagram showing him paragliding in circles over a field, with the caption: "Too much wind."
A woman was also injured in the crash and was taken to hospital, however, her condition is not serious, The Telegraph reports.
Baumgartner had an incredible career, setting 14 World Records, but he is most well known for skydiving from the edge of space while filming the incredible feat on a GoPro.
Back in 2012, he teamed up with Red Bull for the astronomical challenge, which saw him jump 26 miles at a neck-breaking speed of 844 miles per hour, in turn breaking the sound barrier in a record first.
Check out the incredible footage here:
Baumgartner was an obvious choice for Red Bull thanks to his incredible career as a skydiver, which began when he was just 16-years-old.
In the build up to the challenge, Baumgartner took part in two test jumps; one of which saw him fall 21,818 metres and 360mph, and the second falling from 29,460 metres at 536mph.
Both proved to be successful and he was confirmed for the main event.
On 14 October 2012, the daredevil flew 39 kilometres into the sky above Roswell in a helium balloon where he made his epic jump. Within 42 seconds he reached 834mph - though disaster almost struck when became locked in an uncontrollable spin.
Fortunately, Baumgartner managed to regain stability and four minutes 16 seconds into the jump, he deployed his parachute, reaching a top speed of 844mph.
The footage captured by the GoPros was the first of its kind, with GoPro commenting at the time: "Millions across the globe watched as he opened the door of the capsule, stepped off the platform, and broke the speed of sound while free falling safely back to Earth.
"Felix set three world records that day—and inspired us all to reach beyond the limits of our own realities, and reimagine our potential to achieve the incredible.
"GoPro was honoured to be a part of this epic achievement, with seven HERO2 cameras documenting every moment.
"From the airless freeze of outer space, to the record-breaking free fall and momentous return to ground, see it all through Felix's eyes as captured by GoPro, and experience this incredible mission like never before. No one gets you closer than this."
Topics: Science
Emma Rosemurgey