JEDDAH: A British wingsuit scientist and champion was killed during a jump in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. Dr. Angelo Grubisic crashed on a mountainside during an event in the Asir region that was part of Al-Soudah Season.
The 38-year-old extreme sports expert was an astronautical engineer who had worked for NASA and the European Space Agency before becoming a lecturer of astronautics at the University of Southampton, where he was involved in work to develop safer and better-performing wingsuits.
Saudi Civil Defense rescue teams in the province of Rijal Almaa raised the alarm at 11:47 a.m. on Wednesday, alerting authorities that a wingsuit BASE jumper had crashed in a mountainous area. Rescue teams located Grubisic’s body and carried him about 100 meters across rocky slopes to a helicopter that transported him to Asir Hospital.
Extreme Sports Company facilitated Dr. Grubisic's participation in the event.
A helicopter flew Grubisic and four other wingsuit base jumpers — from Norway, France, Italy and Australia — to the jump point. Initial reports suggested Grubisic experienced difficulties as soon as he jumped and began his flight to the landing site at the cable car station in Rijal Alma. As he reached speeds of about 100 miles per hour he appeared to misjudge his height. His body was found about 25 kilometers from the take-off position.
The British Embassy in Riyadh thanked the authorities in the region for their efforts during the rescue operation and for helping Grubisic’s family travel to the Kingdom and make arrangements to take his body home.
Grubisic led a wingsuit-design team at the University of Southampton and was crowned a British wingsuit champion during a competition at Dunkeswell Airfield in Devon in July.
His family described him as “phenomenally talented.” They added: “Angelo lost his life doing what he loved the most, wingsuit BASE jumping, and we want to ensure his achievements and ambitions are known to the world, and to celebrate the mark he made on all of our lives.
“Angelo captivated the hearts and minds of every single person who was privileged to meet and work with him. ‘The candle that burns twice as bright burns half as long’ has never rung more true to the family and friends Angelo had across the world.”
The University of Southampton said: “We are extremely saddened and shocked by the death of Angelo and our thoughts are with his family at this terrible time.
“Angelo made many pioneering contributions to the University’s research into astronautics and was incredibly popular with his students and colleagues.”
Wingsuit jumpers wear a suit that has extra fabric between the legs and under the arms. This allows them to glide great distances after jumping from an aircraft or from a jump point, increasing their time in the air before deploying a parachute. BASE jumping involved parachuting or wingsuit flying from from fixed points or objects. BASE is an acronym for building, antenna, span (such as a bridge) and earth (such as a cliff or mountainside).
British wingsuit expert dies during jump in KSA
British wingsuit expert dies during jump in KSA
- Grubisic led a wingsuit-design team at the University of Southampton and was crowned a British wingsuit champion during a competition at Dunkeswell Airfield in Devon in July
Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief donates tonnes of dates and food aid to families in need
RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief has donated 40 tonnes of dates to Malaysia and Poland, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
In Warsaw, Poland, 15 tonnes of dates were handed over, while in Malaysia a further 23 tonnes were distributed as part of the agency’s ongoing work to assist those most in need.
On Wednesday, meanwhile, the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance launched the Kingdom’s gift program to distribute dates and iftar meals in Amman, Jordan.
The first stage involves the delivery of approximately 5 tonnes of dates to more than 20,000 people.
The second part of the program aims to provide iftar meals to over 7,000 people.
KSrelief also provided 2,900 food aid parcels to Montenegro, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Benin and Sudan, benefiting 14,275 people.
Crown prince receives governors of Saudi regions
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has received governors of the Kingdom’s regions following their 31st annual meeting, the Saudi Press Agency said early Thursday.
The Crown Prince was briefed on the most prominent topics discussed at the annual meeting.
He commended the governors’ efforts to serve the country, citizens and residents, and their work to achieve comprehensive development.
Saudi Arabia to host conference on role of universities in promoting peaceful coexistence
- The event will take place at Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University on April 28 and 29
RIYADH: Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh will host an international conference next month titled “The Role of Universities in Promoting the Values of National Belonging and Peaceful Coexistence.” It will take place on April 28 and 29 under the patronage of King Salman.
Ahmed bin Salem Al-Ameri, the president of the university, thanked the king for his support and said the aim of the event is to “highlight the experiences of universities in promoting these lofty values, and to demonstrate the importance of correct doctrine and the approach of moderation,” the Saudi Press agency reported on Wednesday.
The participants will include leaders, dignitaries, scholars and intellectuals from the Kingdom and other countries, he added, who will share their specialist legal, scientific and social expertise during lectures, discussion sessions and workshops.
Weather warnings issued across Saudi Arabia until Monday
RIYADH: Members of the public have been urged to exercise caution over the coming days as weather warnings have been issued in several regions across Saudi Arabia.
The General Directorate of Civil Defense said there could be thunderstorms from Thursday to Monday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Moderate to heavy rain, leading to torrential rain, hail and high wind, has been forecast for Makkah region, including the Holy Capital, Al-Jumum, Al-Kamil, Bahra, Khulais, Taif, Maysan, Adham, Al-Ardiyat, Tarbah, Raniyah, Al-Muwayh, and Al-Khurmah.
The Riyadh region will be affected by similar weather conditions, including the capital, Diriyah, Afif, Al-Dawadmi. Al-Quwayiyah, Al-Majma’ah, Thadiq, Marrat, Al-Ghat, Al-Zulfi, Shaqraa, Rumah, Huraymila, Darma, Al-Muzahmiyah, Al-Kharj, Wadi Al-Dawasir, Al-Salil, Al-Aflaj, Hotat Bani Tamim and Al-Hareeq.
The same has been forecast for the regions of Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, Madinah, Tabuk, Al-Jawf, the Northern Border, Hail, Al-Qassim, and the Eastern Province.
Some parts of Makkah region, including Jeddah, Rabigh, Al-Laith, Al-Qunfudhah, will be affected by moderate rainfall that may lead to torrential rain, hail and high winds.
Some areas in the regions of Jazan, Najran and the Eastern Province will be affected by light to medium rain and active downward winds that raise dust and dirt, the authority added.
The directorate called on the public to stay safe and away from places which could be affected by floods or become swamped. It urged people not to swim in such places as this would be dangerous, and to adhere to any instructions issued through the media or social media networks.
Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Co. honors winners of mosque design competition
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Co. concluded an architectural design competition for Diriyah mosques, with the participation of a number of talented male and female architects, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday
The Diriyah Mosques Architectural Design Competition aims to showcase their skills and contribute to developing the architectural landscape of Diriyah through their participation in the contest to support local creative talent in Islamic architecture and promote the development of sustainable construction.
The winners were announced during the annual Diriyah Suhoor at the Bujairi Terrace in the heart of the historic Wadi Hanifah.
Participants were invited to submit designs for two mosques in Diriyah in the Najdi style and constructed within the project’s master plan, using traditional building techniques and materials from the region.
Participating students were required to be familiar with traditional construction methodologies and apply them in their designs through this competition, which sought to achieve a set of goals to serve the local community and visitors.
The two mosques reflect the rich cultural heritage that characterizes Diriyah and the authentic architectural style of the region, as the competition is part of Diriyah Co.’s commitment to consolidating the traditions of distinctive Najdi architecture and enhancing community participation in Diriyah development projects.
A total of 170 submissions from groups and individuals were nominated for meeting the criteria set by the competition and the final stage of the competition witnessed the evaluation of the best 11 designs by the jury, which consisted of a number of highly qualified professional architects.
The evaluation criteria focused on the compatibility of the designs with the master plan for Diriyah, the design brief and their integration with the ancient heritage of Diriyah.
Three groups consisting of 12 participants emerged victorious and the winning entries were distinguished by their creativity and sustainability and their highlighting of Najdi culture and heritage.
The two winning designs for first and second place will be used in building the two mosques, which will contribute to developing the urban landscape and enabling the community to participate in the development of Diriyah.
The competition was launched in July and received widespread interest, as 539 male and female students from 31 universities took part, including 27 from the Kingdom, a university from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and three international institutions.
A total of 296 designs were submitted by both individual and groups of three to five students.