A 65-year-old base jumper, tragically died while descending from a mountainside in Italy.
Originally from Redruth, Cornwall, British national Mark Andrews plunged more than 1,300 feet on Saturday, June 3, resulting in his instant death. This location had claimed the life of another British base jumper just a year before.
Andrews, who wore a wingsuit and parachute, experienced a failure in parachute deployment. Reports indicate he had gone to Paganella, a renowned base jumping spot in the Italian Dolomites. A retired engineer, Andrews had been residing in Bucharest, Romania, with his wife, after a previous stay in Russia.
Despite being relatively new to the sport, Andrews had acquired proficiency, boasting nearly 600 successful jumps. His Facebook page revealed his daring exploits across various European mountain ranges.
According to a fellow base jumper, Andrews had a late start in base jumping, having begun only in 2014. Despite the relatively short duration of nine years, he made the most of his time, displaying fearlessness and leaving a lasting impression. He participated in base-jumping events in Italy and also engaged in the extreme sport globally, taking leaps from bridges and skyscrapers.
The location of the incident was known for its challenging nature. The initial 1,300 feet featured rock and tree ledges, followed by a steep 4,900 feet descent. Experienced professionals attempted jumps from this point, while others opted for an alternative location about 18.6 miles away at Mt. Brenta due to wind considerations.
Base jumping distinguishes itself from skydiving as it involves leaping from a fixed position rather than an aircraft. It is recognized as one of the most dangerous extreme sports.
The earliest recorded leap from a fixed point dates back to 1617.
In 1912, Frederick Law jumped from the Statue of Liberty. Tragically, just two days later, Franz Reichelt died after jumping from the Eiffel Tower.
