Polish wingsuit diver dies in French Alps
2013-08-16 22:38
2013-05-29 09:39
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Grenoble - A Polish wingsuit diver died in the French Alps on Friday after hitting a mountain ridge during his descent, local officials said, in the latest death from the extreme sport.
The accident comes after wingsuit diver Mark Sutton, who parachuted into the London 2012 Olympics dressed as James Bond, died from crashing into a ridge after jumping from a helicopter in Switzerland on Wednesday.
The Polish wing-diver, aged 35, had launched himself from the 2 200m Pointe de Sans Bet in the Haute-Savoie region, the local gendarmerie said.
Witnesses said he struck the mountain ridge at least three times during his descent and, while his parachute opened, he was found dead.
Wing-divers wear special jumpsuits that add surface area to the human body, enabling them to glide, before opening a parachute like a regular skydiver.
The sport is highly dangerous, with about 20 people dying annually around the world while jumping.
- AFP
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