Gabe Reilly, a 27-year-old firefighter with the Salt Lake City Fire Department, died Sunday after a BASE jumping accident in Utah. Reilly, who had been with the department for four years, was an experienced BASE jumper when his wingsuit failed to generate sufficient lift after he leaped from a ledge near Millville Canyon in Cache County.
Cache County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Doyle Peck stated that Reilly "impacted the ground at a high rate of speed resulting in his death." Reilly was part of a group of eight to 10 individuals who jumped from the cliff around 9 a.m. on Sunday.
The Salt Lake City Fire Department confirmed Reilly's death in a social media post, remembering him as "free-spirited" with an "infectious smile" and a "kind-heartedness." His father is also a retired member of the SLCFD.
Millville Canyon, known for its steep cliffs, is a popular location for BASE jumping. The sport involves participants jumping from high structures or natural formations with a parachute or wingsuit.
This incident follows other fatal BASE jumping accidents in Utah, including the deaths of two jumpers in June, one of whom was known for performing at the 2012 Super Bowl halftime show.