Felix Baumgartner, Record-Breaking Sky Diver Convicted Of Punching Greek Lorry Driver

'Fearless' Felix Baumgartner Convicted Of Punching Lorry Driver In The Face

Austrian daredevil Felix Baumgartner has been convicted of punching a lorry driver during a road-rage row.

The supersonic skydiver had claimed he acted in self defence after the incident in September 2010, but the victim, named only as Dimitrios P for legal reasons, said the assault came "out of the blue".

He told the Austrian media the altercation unfolded after former boxer Baumgartner overtook him and then got "wedged" on the roundabout in Salzburg.

Felix Baumgartner has lost his appeal against the conviction has was fined €1,500

"There was blood everywhere. I never tried to conceal anything in court - I admitted that I had tried to kick him but it was only in retaliation. He was just acting the tough guy and showing off and making himself a hero, but he isn't a hero at all."

Baumgartner had appealed the conviction but lost and was ordered to pay €1,500.

Last month Baumgartner set a new record after dropping 128,000 feet (24 miles) to earth, earning himself the nickname "Fearless Felix".

It was a height several times higher than that reached by civilian airlines. So high that there's barely an atmosphere present.

Within 40 seconds of exiting his capsule he hit 833mph, mach 1.24, becoming the first person to break the sound barrier in freefall. But he also went into a wild, uncontrolled spin.

However, in a matter of minutes - in fact after four minutes 20 seconds - he'd deployed his parachute and floated safely back to Earth, with a rescue crew quickly on the scene.

His leap broke the previous skydiving record set by US military pilot Joe Kittinger on 16 August 1960.

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