James Bond Stuntman Dies in Wingsuit Accident
Known for London Olympics drop
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The British stuntman who performed at the opening ceremony of the London Olympics was killed in a wingsuit flying accident Thursday in the Swiss Alps. Mark Sutton crashed into a rocky ridge after jumping from a helicopter at 10,800 feet. He and 19 other pilots were taking part in Helibase 74, a three-day, non-competitive event in Switzerland and France.
The accident unfolded after Sutton jumped from the helicopter on a warm-up flight intended to last a minute. Footage revealed that Sutton veered off course after jumping, hitting the mountain at a speed of over 155 miles per hour.
“There was no chance of survival,” a spokesman for the Swiss police told The Telegraph. “This was an accident. The production company and helicopter company are not implicated in any way.”
In the 2012 Summer Games, Sutton played a lead role, jumping into the Olympic Stadium while dressed as James Bond. He co-jumper, who played the role of Queen Elizabeth II, told The Sun that he lost a friend who was “smart, articulate and funny. “In any sport where you share a common bond you can make friends in a heartbeat that last a lifetime.”