BASE Jumping Incident Claims Lives of Daredevil Athlete and Accomplished Businessman

Authorities report a fatal BASE jumping accident over the weekend in a Utah canyon, resulting in two deaths. Among the victims was Andy Lewis, a renowned daredevil athlete famous for his performance with Madonna at the 2012 Super Bowl halftime show. Emergency services responded to the tragedy at the remote Mineral Bottom area near the Utah-Colorado border, as confirmed by the Grand County Sheriff’s Office.

BASE jumping involves parachuting from tall, fixed objects like buildings, bridges, or cliffs. The deceased individuals were engaged in a tandem jump, which pairs two people using a single parachute system. This activity was organized by Aerial Arts Moab, an acrobatics company co-owned by Lewis, who also operated the firm BASE Jump Moab, offering tandem jumps to novices.

A renowned figure in the BASE jumping community, Lewis was admired for his daring nature and elevated skill level. John McEvoy, a BASE jumping instructor, described Lewis as someone who constantly tested limits. He mentioned Lewis’s unique ability to execute jumps under dangerous conditions that many would consider too risky.

The other victim, Danny Joe Kregle, was a 68-year-old influential businessman known for his humor and magic tricks with his granddaughter. His family emphasized his joyful approach to life and the value he found in uplifting others.

Lewis was not only remarkable for BASE jumping but also for his achievements in slacklining and tricklining, sports that combine tightrope walking with aerobatics at high elevations. His performance with Madonna during the Super Bowl marked a turning point, propelling him into the public eye.

The risks associated with BASE jumping far outweigh those of skydiving, as demonstrated by various statistics. BASEaddict.com has recorded 540 fatalities worldwide since 1981, highlighting the peril involved in this extreme sport. A 2007 study in Norway estimated BASE jumping’s risk is five to eight times higher compared to skydiving.

Tandem BASE jumping, while considered lower risk due to its accommodating nature for beginners, remains controversial in the BASE community. Opinions diverge on whether these jumps provide an invaluable experience or pose undue danger.

Andy Lewis’s career in slacklining included winning consecutive world championships from 2008 to 2011. He also achieved a Guinness World Record for slackline surfing in China and performed a slackline walk between hot air balloons at the Nevada Desert.