Energy giant and sports group Red Bull on Friday led tributes to daredevil Austrian parachutist Felix Baumgartner, who died in paragliding accident on Thursday in the Adriatic town of Porto Sant'Elpidio at the age of 56.
    Baumgartner's many record-breaking feats included a leap from a capsule at the edge of the Earth's atmosphere at a height of 39 kilometres in 2012.
    It is suspected that Baumgartner lost control of his paraglider after suffering a bad turn.
    He crashed into a swimming pool and a young woman was injured in the accident.
    "Thank you, Felix," Red Bull said in a statement.
    "Thank you for being exactly who you were.
    "Clear, demanding and critical.

With others, but most of all with yourself.
    "You were unyielding once you set your mind to something.
    Debating with you was only a good idea if one came prepared with solid arguments.

You never took the easy road and this made you stand out.
    "You always sought out the greatest challenges and mastered them with sharp thinking, relentless precision and a good dose of courage. You delved deep into every project. No detail was too small, no risk too great - as long as you could calculate it.
    "Unfortunately, many never got the chance to see how kind and big-hearted you were. How warm, sensitive and supportive. You once said, "If I'm doing well, others should too," and that's exactly how you lived. You helped without seeking praise and you helped many.
    "We grew with you and you with us. We wouldn't trade a single day we had together. You will stay with us as a colleague, a loyal companion, but most of all as a friend.
    "Thank you, Felix. For everything".
   

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