RismadarVoice Reporters, June 16, 2026
A weekend BASE jumping accident in a canyon in Utah has left two people dead, including extreme sports athlete, Andy Lewis, known for his high-profile performances and record-setting stunts.
Authorities in Grand County confirmed the fatalities following a tandem BASE jump in a remote desert area near Mineral Bottom, close to the Utah–Colorado border.
Lewis, a prominent figure in the extreme sports world, was widely recognised for his work in slacklining and BASE jumping, as well as for performing during Madonna’s 2012 Super Bowl halftime show. He co-owned BASE Jump Moab, a company that organised tandem jumps for participants with limited experience.
The second victim was identified as Danny Joe Kregle, a 68-year-old father and grandfather described by family members as a well-loved businessman with a strong sense of humour and a passion for entertaining others.
Officials said emergency responders were called to the scene after reports of an accident during a BASE jumping attempt. Both individuals were pronounced dead following the incident.
Lewis had built a reputation in the extreme sports community for pushing physical and technical limits in BASE jumping, a discipline that involves parachuting from fixed structures such as cliffs and canyon walls. He also gained global recognition for slacklining performances in highly elevated and dangerous environments, including record-breaking feats above waterfalls and between hot air balloons.
Fellow athletes and colleagues described him as highly skilled but also known for taking significant risks within the sport. BASE jumping, in particular, is considered one of the most dangerous recreational activities, with hundreds of fatalities recorded worldwide over the past several decades.
Tandem BASE jumping, the format involved in this incident, links an experienced jumper with a passenger under a single parachute system. While it is often used to introduce beginners to the sport, experts note that it still carries significant risk due to the complexity of controlling two connected participants during freefall.
Lewis’s career included global acclaim, including world championship titles in competitive slacklining and widely viewed public performances that brought niche extreme sports into mainstream attention.
Authorities have not released further details on the cause of the accident, and an investigation is ongoing.
