Feb 10 • 11:41 UTC 🇬🇧 UK Mirror

Skydiving champion dies aged 37 as parachute catastrophe results in fatal plunge

Pierre Wolnik, a former French free-fall world champion, tragically died at 37 after his parachute failed to deploy during a jump from a helicopter in Mont Blanc.

Pierre Wolnik, a prominent skydiving champion and former free-fall world champion from France, died tragically at the age of 37 due to a parachute malfunction. The incident occurred on a jump from a helicopter over Mont Blanc, an altitude at which Wolnik was expected to deploy his parachute. As he descended, however, the parachute did not open, leading to a fatal fall.

Eyewitness reports suggest that Wolnik's dive began normally before the critical malfunction happened. Emergency services rushed to the scene after his crash but were unable to revive him. This incident highlights the inherent risks involved in extreme sports like skydiving and raises questions about safety measures and equipment reliability in high-altitude jumps.

Wolnik was known for his skills in wingsuit flying and was highly regarded in the skydiving community. His death is a significant loss, not only to his friends and family but also to the extreme sports world, where he was considered a skilled and daring athlete. This tragedy serves as a somber reminder of the dangers that come with such thrilling pursuits, prompting ongoing discussions on enhancing safety protocols for both seasoned and novice skydivers.

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