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Wingsuit jumper live-streams fatal flight

Moments before plummeting to his death on Friday, wingsuit daredevil Armin Schmieder smiled and waved to fans watching a live stream of his latest jump from a Swiss mountain, saying, “Today you fly with me!”

Those who viewed the Facebook live stream of Schmieder’s fateful final leap saw only a red screen, as Schmieder pocketed the cellphone he was using to stream the event. But his fans heard every horrific sound: Schmieder counting in German as he prepared to leap from the mountain in Kandersteg; the sound of intense wind whooshing by as Schmieder dropped through the air; then a scream, several thumps and the eerie, solitary sound of cow bells as Schmieder’s body came to rest on the ground.

One person watching the feed pleaded with Schmieder to “write or say something.” But no answer came.


Warning: Some viewers may find this video disturbing


Officers on the ground later confirmed Schmieder’s death, the Daily Mirror reported.

The 28-year-old was an experienced jumper, but had only been flying with the wingsuit for about a year, a friend of Schmieder’s told the Daily Mirror.

It’s not yet clear if Schmieder’s death was due to an equipment malfunction or pilot error.

Schmieder’s death comes just four days after wingsuit pioneer Alexander Polli died during a freak flying accident on Monday, Fox Sports reported. Polli, jumping from a popular spot in the French Alps, was killed when he struck a tree at 5,000 feet.