Full Breakdown
Investigation into Scottish Wingsuit Fatality Discontinued
By Drooid · · How we work
Fatal Jump and Investigation Closure
British champion Liam Byrne, 24, died after a wingsuit jump from the Gitschen mountain in the Swiss Alps. He launched from an altitude of 7,874 ft (2,400 m) and was fatally injured on the descent. An investigation was opened following the incident, but documents from the Swiss Federal Prosecutor’s Office seen by BBC Scotland News indicate that the authorities decided to discontinue any further proceedings.
Background on Liam Byrne
Byrne hailed from Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, and was recognized as a leading figure in the sport of wingsuit flying. He had completed thousands of jumps over his career and was featured in the 2024 BBC documentary *The Boy Who Can Fly*, which highlighted his experience and achievements in the discipline.
Official Response from Swiss Authorities
The Swiss Federal Prosecutor’s Office, responsible for overseeing serious criminal investigations, reviewed the case files and concluded that no further legal action was warranted. The decision to drop the investigation was communicated through internal documents, which were later obtained by the BBC. No public statement detailing the rationale behind the closure was released by the office.
Data and Statistics
- Age of the deceased: 24 years
- Launch altitude: 7,874 ft (2,400 m)
- Location of the accident: Gitschen mountain, Swiss Alps
- Years of experience: Thousands of jumps documented in his career
The cessation of the investigation leaves unanswered questions about the precise circumstances of the accident, but Swiss authorities have indicated that the evidence did not support pursuing criminal charges.