Celebrating the Life of Liam Byrne: A Fearless Scottish Wingsuit Flyer

Liam Byrne, a 24-year-old Scottish wingsuit flyer, passed away while executing a jump from Gitschen mountain. A highly skilled aeronaut who had completed over 4,000 jumps, he was known for his adventurous spirit and passion for extreme sports. His family fondly remembers him as a fearless individual who lived life to the fullest.

Scottish wingsuit flyer Liam Byrne, 24, tragically died during a jump in the Swiss Alps on Saturday. The young man, originally from Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, was critically injured after launching from Gitschen mountain, standing tall at 7,874 feet (2,400m). Byrne recently appeared in a 2024 BBC documentary titled "The Boy Who Can Fly," where he shared his lifelong dream of experiencing the freedom of flight akin to birds.

Byrne was regarded as an exceptionally experienced wingsuit flyer, amassing over 4,000 jumps in his decade-long career. In the documentary, he revealed his childhood aspirations, stating, "I think I was about 13 when I said to my dad that I wanted to learn to fly like a bird." This longing for the skies drove him to explore extreme sports from a young age, starting with climbing Mount Kilimanjaro at age 12, followed by dog-sledding through the Arctic and scuba diving.

Reflecting on his passion for wingsuit flying, Byrne mentioned, "Even at school I would stare out the window at the seagulls... always feeling that sense of envy." He acknowledged the risks involved in his sport, often expressing concern for how his pursuits affected his family. "I do think about how much it worried my family," he said. However, he remained steadfast in his belief that extensive preparation would minimize risks, stating, "The more I prepare, the more control I have."

His parents, Mike and Gillian, confirmed the tragic news and shared a heartfelt tribute: "We would like to remember Liam not just for the way he left this world, but for how he lived in it." They emphasized that their son was fearless, not because he lacked fear, but because he never allowed it to dictate his life choices. To them, wingsuit flying was a pursuit of freedom that defined who Liam was.

The documentary portrayed emotional scenes of Mike watching his son take off on a jump, highlighting the mixed emotions of pride and concern that came with being a parent to someone who so passionately pursued his dreams. As the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) announced its support for the family, tributes from across the community and beyond poured in, celebrating Liam Byrne's adventurous spirit and inspiring legacy.