A 65-year-old base jumper, tragically died while descending from a mountainside in Italy.
On Saturday, June 3, Mark Andrews, a native of Redruth, Cornwall, plummeted over 1,300 feet to his death. This same location witnessed the death of another British base jumper last year.
Andrews was equipped with a wingsuit and a parachute for his daring descent from Paganella in the Italian Dolomites, a hotspot for base jumping enthusiasts. Unfortunately, his parachute did not deploy as intended. Andrews, a retired engineer who was living in Bucharest, Romania with his wife and had also lived in Russia, chose this particular jump location.
Andrews’ introduction to base jumping occurred later in life, but he proved his skill with almost 600 successful jumps. His Facebook page showcases his intrepid adventures through various European landscapes.
One of his base jumping comrades noted that Andrews embarked on his base jumping journey only in 2014. However, in his nine-year career span, he left an indelible impression with his fearless passion for the sport, participating in base jumping events in Italy and making leaps worldwide from bridges and skyscrapers.
The site where Andrews met his end is notorious for its challenging surroundings. The initial 1,300 feet consists of rocky and tree-laden ledges, followed by a sheer 4,900-foot drop. Experienced jumpers often take on this location, while some prefer Mt. Brenta, located approximately 18.6 miles away, due to its easier wind conditions.
Base jumping, which differentiates itself from skydiving by involving a jump from a fixed location, is recognized as one of the most dangerous extreme sports. The first documented fixed location jump dates back to 1617. Prominent instances include Frederick Law’s jump from the Statue of Liberty in 1912, followed shortly by the fatal jump of Franz Reichelt from the Eiffel Tower.
