Extreme athlete dies in crash in Italy at 56

EXTREME athlete Felix Baum-gartner, the first skydiver to fall faster than the speed of sound during a 24-mile leap through the strato-sphere more than a decade ago, has died in a crash aged 56.

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Italian firefighters said a paraglider crashed into the side of a swimming pool in the eastern coast city of Porto Sant Elpidio.

The city's mayor, Massimiliano Ciarpella, confirmed Baumgartner's death in a social media post.

“Our community is deeply affected by the tragic disappearance of Felix Baumgartner, a figure of global prominence, a symbol of courage and passion for extreme flight,” Mr Ciarpella said.

Baumgartner, known as “Fearless Felix”, stunned the world in 2012 when he became the first human to break the sound barrier with only his body.