Famous daredevil Felix Baumgartner was killed Thursday in Italy after a paragliding crash that authorities suspect may have been caused by a heart attack midair, as the New York Post reports.

Baumgartner, best known for his 24-mile space jump in 2012, died at age 56 after crashing his motorized hang glider into a crowded campsite, injuring one resort employee and prompting questions about his medical condition at the time of the flight.

The incident occurred in the coastal Italian town of Porto Sant’Elpidio, where Baumgartner had taken off for what appeared to be a routine paragliding session. The flight quickly turned tragic when the glider spiraled out of control and crashed into a wooden structure near a busy pool area at the Le Mimose campsite.

Local reports indicate that Baumgartner may have lost consciousness after suffering a heart attack in midflight. This medical emergency likely caused the hang glider to veer unpredictably before plummeting out of the sky and into the resort grounds teeming with vacationers, including many children.

Emergency responders, including an air ambulance, rushed to the scene following the impact. However, medical personnel determined there were no signs of life in Baumgartner upon arrival. According to early reports, his heart had already stopped entirely by the time help arrived, making resuscitation efforts futile.

Red Bull athlete warned of high winds

Mere hours before the fatal incident, Baumgartner shared a post to his Instagram Story, indicating concerns about weather conditions before takeoff. The post showed a Red Bull-branded windsock and his off-road vehicle, with a caption reading simply, “too much wind.”

Despite expressing this caution, Baumgartner proceeded with the flight. Witnesses noted that he seemed hesitant prior to launching. Additionally, it was reported that he told someone he felt unwell before initiating the motorized takeoff.

These details have added weight to the hypothesis that health complications, not mechanical failure, led to the accident. However, authorities have not yet confirmed an official cause of death pending autopsy results.

Crash injures resort employee

The impact of the glider sent debris across the resort's main recreational area, near a packed pool in high use due to seasonal tourism. One resort employee was struck by fragments of the aircraft and was later hospitalized.

Officials reported that the employee sustained non-life-threatening injuries but was treated out of caution. Resort guests, including several families with children, were visibly shaken after witnessing the crash and aftermath.

Efforts are now underway to determine whether Baumgartner’s aircraft met regional air safety requirements and whether appropriate health checks were performed before his flight.

Stunt icon known for space jump

Baumgartner achieved worldwide acclaim in October 2012 when he performed a record-breaking skydive from the stratosphere. In a Red Bull-sponsored mission, he ascended to 128,000 feet before leaping and freefalling at supersonic speeds back to Earth.

The monumental feat solidified his place in extreme sports history. His background also included numerous BASE jumps and daring stunts across urban and natural landmarks, earning him both fame and criticism for the risks involved in his work.

While his career thrived on pushing limits, his recent activities in Italy appeared to be more recreational than record-seeking. Friends and fans say he had been enjoying several weeks in the area ahead of the incident.

Lessons to learn

1. Listen to your body before engaging in physically demanding activities. If you feel unwell, as Baumgartner reportedly did beforehand, it’s always better to delay or cancel plans involving risk -- especially those involving machinery or extreme sports.

2. Environmental conditions matter more than we think. Baumgartner’s Instagram message referencing strong winds should raise awareness about heeding weather advisories seriously. Wind and other atmospheric variables can impact even the most advanced aircraft or experienced pilots.

3. Even the best-trained individuals are not invincible. Safety gear, training, and experience reduce but do not eliminate risk. As such, we must remember that accidents can occur despite precautions, and we should never blame victims when tragedies arise.

Why this story matters

Baumgartner's life and death highlight the incredible heights humanity can reach -- and the very real dangers that come with those pursuits. His accident also underscores the importance of medical preparedness in high-risk sports.

Most importantly, this case raises questions about safety regulation in adventure tourism and private aviation -- areas where oversight may be less consistent. These issues deserve public attention and policy consideration.