Wingsuit Champion And Former NASA Scientist Angelo Grubišić Dies In Base Jump

A wingsuit scientist who worked on making the extreme sport garments safer has died in a base jump in Saudi Arabia, his family has confirmed.

Dr Angelo Grubišić - who had led a wingsuit design team at the University of Southampton - was killed in the jump on Tuesday.
The 38-year-old - who was crowned a British wingsuit champion just last month - had previously worked on spacecraft propulsion for the European Space Agency and NASA.

In a statement to the BBC, Angelo's family said he was 'phenomenally talented'.

They added: "Angelo lost his life doing what he loved the most, wingsuit base jumping, and we want to ensure his achievements and ambitions are known to the world and to celebrate the mark he made on all of our lives.




"Angelo captivated the hearts and minds of every single person who was privileged to meet and work with him.

'''The candle that burns twice as bright burns half as long' has never rang more true to the family and friends Angelo had across the world."

In 2015, Dr Grubišić founded the The Icarus Wingsuit Project, which set out to design a world record breaking wingsuit, while also increasing safety.

Speaking about the project in 2016, Dr Grubišić said: "The Icarus Programme is about providing students with the opportunity and leadership to achieve something remarkable in their time at Southampton, in a commitment to their education. Our students are more than capable."
In a statement, the University of Southampton said Dr Grubišić made 'pioneering contributions'.

It said: "We are extremely saddened and shocked by the death of Angelo and our thoughts are with his family at this terrible time.

"Angelo made many pioneering contributions to the university's research into astronautics and was incredibly popular with his students and colleagues."

In January, Dr Grubišić gave evidence at an inquest into the death of Rob Haggarty, who died during a wingsuit jump in Italy in 2018.

The Foreign Office said: "Our consular staff are supporting the family of a British man following his death in Saudi Arabia, and are in contact with the local authorities."