Story perspectives

Slackliner Andy Lewis and Businessman Kregle Killed in Utah BASE Jump

6/16/2026

Summary

Andy Lewis Fatal Jump

Athlete Andy Lewis and businessman Danny Joe Kregle died in a tandem BASE-jump accident in Utah’s Mineral Bottom canyon on June 14, 2026.
The Grand County Sheriff’s Office dispatched deputies and two helicopters after injury reports.
Rescue crews found Danny Joe Kregle dead at the site while Andy Lewis survived hours before succumbing to his injuries.
Andy Lewis, 39, was a slacklining champion who performed on Madonna’s Super Bowl XLVI halftime show.

Summary

BASE Jumpers Risk

A 2007 Norwegian study estimated BASE jumping’s injury or death risk to be five to eight times skydiving.
BASEaddict.com lists 540 worldwide BASE-jump deaths since 1981, including 30 in 2025.
Because no government agency tracks BASE-jump deaths, safety data rely on private sources.
Instructor John McEvoy said the athlete constantly took extreme risk, making tandem jumps controversial.

Summary

Peterson Keeps Open

Jimmy Peterson said Moab Swingers will stay open after Andy Lewis’s death, needing only days to regroup.
Andy Lewis owned BASE Jump Moab, offering tandem BASE-jump experiences.
Andy Lewis co-owned Moab Swingers, which claims the longest rope swing in the United States.
Andy Lewis earned a 2011 Guinness World Record for slackline surfing at China’s Diaoshuilou waterfall.
The Grand County Sheriff’s Office gave no additional details beyond the initial report.

History

Historical Context

After Carl Boenish’s fatal 1984 jump off Norway’s Troll Wall sparked a safety bulletin for 200 early BASE jumpers, the sport recorded 480 deaths since April 1981 and a 2002 fatality risk of one per 60 participants. Zero U.S. BASE deaths in 2023 and an injury-free 2024 Bridge Day highlight progress, yet the 2026 Grand County tragedy involving Andy Lewis and Danny Joe Kregle revives safety concerns.

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Andy Lewis Fatal Jump

Athlete Andy Lewis and businessman Danny Joe Kregle died in a tandem BASE-jump accident in Utah’s Mineral Bottom canyon on June 14, 2026.
The Grand County Sheriff’s Office dispatched deputies and two helicopters after injury reports.
Rescue crews found Danny Joe Kregle dead at the site while Andy Lewis survived hours before succumbing to his injuries.
Andy Lewis, 39, was a slacklining champion who performed on Madonna’s Super Bowl XLVI halftime show.

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