Two Base jumpers, including a British man, have died in Switzerland, police said. Both accidents occurred on Wednesday near Lauterbrunnen in the Alps, which is considered a hub for Base jumping, one of the world’s most dangerous sports. Most Base jumpers wear wingsuits, which allow them to fly for miles at speeds of up to 120mph (200kmh) before deploying a parachute. More than 20 people died Base jumping last year, mostly from impact injuries, according to an unofficial count on a website dedicated to the activity. High-profile fatalities have included that of the American Johnny Strange, who died in the Swiss Alps while attempting a wingsuit jump last October.

Source: The Guardian August 18, 2016 15:42 UTC