An Italian adventurer tragically live broadcasted his own demise after engaging in a BASE jump from Kandersteg in the Swiss Alps. Identified as Armin Schmieder, 28, the individual made the fatal leap from the peak within the Dolomites mountain range.
Prior to the incident, footage captured Armin preparing for the jump by donning a red and blue wingsuit, adjusting it against a vivid blue sky backdrop, and accessorizing with sunglasses and a helmet. Throughout the setup, Armin displayed several smiles towards the camera.
As he readied himself for the jump, Armin raised the camera to showcase a breathtaking view of mountains and the cliff edge before him. The last clear footage, as reported by The Independent, depicted Armin bidding farewell before seemingly securing the recording device in his pocket.
In the video, Armin can be heard saying, “Today you fly with me.” Following the camera placement in his pocket, the footage continued for approximately three and a half minutes, during which he initiated a countdown from three to one and seemingly initiated the jump.
Audiences could then hear the sound of his flight for about 25 seconds before the video abruptly went silent. On the live stream, panic ensued as Armin’s family members anxiously tried to ascertain the situation.
BASE jumping, involving parachuting or wingsuit flying from fixed structures or cliffs, is acknowledged as one of the most perilous recreational pursuits globally. The acronym BASE stands for Buildings, Antennas (such as radio masts), Spans (like bridges), and Earth (referring to cliffs), representing the launch points for parachutists. Due to its lower altitudes, the sport presents a fatality and injury rate 43 times higher than traditional plane parachuting.
Since 1981, over 450 BASE jumping fatalities have been recorded, according to data maintained by BASE-jumping publication Blinc. In a tragic coincidence, prior to Armin’s demise, another BASE jumper named Uli Emanuele also filmed his own passing while executing a stunt in the Dolomite mountains.
Numerous jurisdictions globally have prohibited BASE jumping due to its extreme danger. In some instances, such as building and antenna jumps, the activity is covertly conducted without authorization, leading to potential legal issues like trespassing.
Attitudes towards BASE jumping vary across different regions with some, like Norway, welcoming jumpers at designated sites while others, like certain bridges in Austria, imposing bans. Australia, for instance, has stringent regulations against BASE jumping from landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge.