Context:

Champion skydiver Liam Byrne, aged 24, tragically died during a wingsuit jump from nearly 8,000 feet in the Swiss Alps. Known for his daring flying skills, Byrne was part of a trio of wingsuit pilots who launched from Gitschen mountain, overlooking Lake Lucerne. Shortly after takeoff, he deviated from his intended course for reasons yet unknown, crashing into a rocky outcrop and suffering fatal injuries. Byrne was an accomplished flyer with over 4,000 jumps and had been profiled in a BBC documentary, highlighting his passion for flying since childhood. His family praised him for living life fearlessly and passionately, emphasizing that wingsuit flying was not just a thrill for him but represented true freedom and vitality.

Dive Deeper:

• Liam Byrne, a 24-year-old champion wingsuit flyer from Scotland, died after a high-risk jump in the Swiss Alps, where he was wearing a specialized wingsuit designed to allow gliding flight through the air.

• During the jump from Gitschen mountain, Byrne deviated from his planned flight path and crashed into a rocky outcrop, resulting in fatal injuries. The exact cause of the deviation remains unknown as reported by the local police.

• Byrne was an experienced wingsuit pilot with a career encompassing more than 4,000 jumps and roles as a skydiving instructor, wingsuit coach, and BASE jumper. His passion for flight was documented in the BBC film, 'The Boy Who Can Fly'.

• From an early age, Byrne demonstrated a deep interest in flying, achieving milestones such as climbing Mount Kilimanjaro at 12, becoming a licensed paraglider by 14, and flying in a wingsuit by 18.

• His family released a heartfelt statement celebrating his life and spirit, describing wingsuit flying as more than just a pursuit for adrenaline but a form of freedom where he felt most alive. They remembered him for his fearless approach to life, which inspired people around him.