Scottish wingsuit flyer dies during jump in Swiss Alps

A champion wingsuit flyer from Aberdeenshire has died during a jump in the Swiss Alps.

Liam Byrne was critically injured after taking off from 7,874ft (2,400m) on the Gitschen mountain on Saturday.

The 24-year-old from Stonehaven is believed to have been flying with two others in the Canton of Uri area of the Alps before going off course shortly after the jump.

Local police said he then crashed into a ledge at around 2,100 meters above sea level and suffered fatal injuries.

Mr Byrne became the world’s youngest wingsuit pilot at the age of 17 and was a British wingsuit performance flying champion.

Liam Byrne became the world's youngest wingsuit pilot — Liam Byrne became the world’s youngest wingsuit pilot STV News

Considered one of the world’s most dangerous sports, it involves wearing a special suit with webbing to allow mid-air lift.

Speaking to STV News in 2023, Mr Bryne said the sport had become his “entire life” after graduating from skydiving as a teenager.

“It’s indescribable”, he said. “I wouldn’t know what words to put on it.

“It’s the best feeling, and it’s essentially what I’m living for.”

Mr Byrne also recently featured in a documentary called The Boy Who Can Fly on the BBC and was described as an experienced jumper.

An FCDO Spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British man who died in Switzerland, and are in contact with the local authorities.”

The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland and the Cantonal Police of Uri said in a statement: “On Saturday, June 21, 2025, shortly before 12pm, three wingsuit pilots took off from a jump from Gitschen at around 2,400 meters above sea level in the direction of Seedorf.

“One of the jumpers, a 24-year-old man from Great Britain, went off course shortly after the jump for reasons that are still unclear and crashed into a ledge at around 2,100 meters above sea level. He suffered fatal injuries.

“Rega, Swiss Alpine Rescue, specialists from the Alpine Task Force, and other forces from the Uri Cantonal Police were involved.

“In addition, the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) and the Uri Public Prosecutor’s Office were involved in the further investigations. The criminal investigations are currently being conducted under the direction of the OAG.”