Full Breakdown
Tragic Utah BASE Jump Claims Two Lives, Including Super Bowl Performer Andy Lewis
6/16/2026, 11:23:10 PM
Fatal Tandem Jump in Mineral Bottom Canyon
On June 14, 2026, Grand County deputies responded to a 911 call reporting injuries in Mineral Bottom canyon, a remote area near the Utah-Colorado border outside Moab. Officials confirmed that a tandem BASE jump—two participants harnessed to a single parachute—ended in fatal injuries for both jumpers. The victims were identified as Andy Lewis, a 39-year-old extreme-sports athlete, and Danny Joe Kregle, a 68-year-old businessman and family man.
Background: Lewis’s Rise and the Risks of BASE Jumping
Andy Lewis gained worldwide attention after performing on a slackline during Madonna’s Super Bowl XLVI halftime show in 2012. He won four consecutive world championships in competitive slacklining (2008-2011) and set a Guinness World Record for slackline surfing at China’s Diaoshuilou waterfall in 2011. Lewis owned BASE Jump Moab, which offered tandem jumps to novices, and co-owned Moab Swingers, an adventure rope-swing attraction. BASE jumping—leaping from fixed structures and deploying a parachute—has been documented as significantly riskier than skydiving.
Key Figures
- Andy Lewis – Slackliner, BASE-jump business owner, former Super Bowl performer.
- Danny Joe Kregle – Arizona-based businessman, father and grandfather.
- Jamison Wiggins – Grand County Sheriff who briefed the media.
- John McEvoy – BASE-jump instructor who knew Lewis.
- Sydney Laverty – Relative of Kregle who provided personal recollections.
- Jimmy Peterson – Co-owner of Moab Swingers, issued a public comment.
Data & Statistics on BASE Jump Fatalities
A compiled list on BASEaddict.com records 540 worldwide BASE-jump deaths since 1981, including 30 fatalities in 2025. A 2007 Norwegian medical study estimated the sport’s injury-or-death risk to be five-to-eight times higher than that of skydiving. Tandem jumps, while marketed as introductory experiences, involve a novice attached to an experienced guide under a single canopy, adding a distinct risk profile.
Official Statements & Responses
Sheriff Jamison Wiggins confirmed the tandem nature of the jump and expressed condolences to the families. A family statement for Kregle emphasized his role as a devoted father and businessman and asked that he be remembered for his life. Aerial Arts Moab posted a tribute describing Lewis as a co-owner and best friend. Moab Swingers co-owner Jimmy Peterson said the company would continue operating while mourning the loss.
Criticism & Opposition
BASE-jump instructor John McEvoy warned that tandem jumps increase danger because they pair an inexperienced participant with a guide sharing a single parachute. He described the practice as “very controversial,” noting that some critics label it “the stupidest thing in the world” while supporters argue it offers a unique experience.
On-the-Ground Reports
Grand County deputies, emergency medical personnel, and two intermountain helicopters arrived at the canyon shortly after the 911 call. Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene. No further communications from the victims were received after the incident.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Initial reports described the second victim as an “approximately 50-year-old man” whose name was not released. Subsequent local coverage identified him as Danny Joe Kregle, aged 68. The discrepancy in age and identification remains unresolved in official releases.
Verbatim Quotes
- “My phone actually rang itself to death three days in a row,” — Andy Lewis, on *Conan O’Brien*’s show.
- “It's weird to think about how many people are dead, because it's like a normal thing,” — Andy Lewis, interview with filmmaker Ella Warnick.
- “He had an incredible level of athleticism and skill that was developed over years of practice,” — John McEvoy, BASE-jump instructor.
- “There's a lot of people who say it's the stupidest thing in the world and others arguing: 'No, we're giving people the experience of their lives.'” — John McEvoy.
- “ “Danny had a wonderful sense of humor and was always looking for ways to make people laugh.” — Sydney Laverty, relative.
Why It Matters
The accident underscores ongoing safety concerns surrounding tandem BASE jumping, a practice that attracts novices to a high-risk sport. The loss of a high-profile athlete like Lewis brings renewed scrutiny to industry standards and may influence regulatory discussions within the extreme-sports community.
What’s Next
Grand County authorities have opened an investigation into the circumstances of the jump. Local adventure-sport operators have pledged to review safety protocols, and the broader BASE-jumping community is monitoring the outcome for potential policy changes.
