An Italian thrill-seeker broadcasted his own demise while BASE jumping from Kandersteg in the Swiss Alps. Identified as Armin Schmieder, 28, the man took the fatal plunge from a peak in the Dolomites mountain range.
Prior to the tragic event, footage captured Armin suiting up in a red and blue wingsuit against a clear blue sky backdrop. With a pair of sunglasses and a helmet on, he smiled at the camera multiple times during the preparation.
Once ready for the jump, Armin raised the camera to showcase the breathtaking mountain views and the cliff edge in front of him. According to The Independent, the final visible moments of the man displayed him waving goodbye before seemingly securing the recording device in his pocket.
In the video, Armin can be heard saying, “Today you fly with me.” Subsequently, after placing the camera in his pocket, the footage continued for about three and a half minutes, during which he counted down and appeared to initiate the jump.
Listeners could hear the sound of his flight for approximately 25 seconds before the audio went silent. Concern and panic arose among Armin’s family members as they tried to comprehend the situation.
BASE jumping, involving parachuting or wingsuit flying from fixed structures or cliffs, is widely recognized as one of the most hazardous recreational pursuits globally. The acronym BASE stands for Buildings, Antennas, Spans, and Earth, representing the various launching points for participants. Due to the lower altitudes involved, the sport has a fatality and injury rate 43 times higher than traditional skydiving.
Since 1981, there have been over 450 BASE jumping fatalities, as documented by the BASE-jumping publication Blinc. Similarly, in the same month as Armin’s demise, another BASE jumper, Uli Emanuele, also captured his fatal stunt in the Dolomite mountains.
Various jurisdictions worldwide have prohibited BASE jumping due to its extreme risks. In some instances, jumpers partake in the activity clandestinely, especially when leaping from buildings and antennas, potentially leading to legal consequences like trespassing charges.
Authorities’ attitudes toward BASE jumping differ significantly depending on the location. For example, Norway welcomes base jumpers to the Kjerag mountain, while certain bridges like Europabruecke near Innsbruck, Austria, have imposed bans on the practice. Australia has notably stringent regulations on BASE jumping, prohibiting it from landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
