‘Criminal probe’ into Scottish wingsuit pilot’s death dropped after Swiss alps crash

A criminal investigation into potential illegal acts surrounding the death of a Scottish wingsuit pilot in the Swiss Alps has been closed.

Liam Byrne, 24, died following a crash on Gitschen mountain in Switzerland on 21 June 2025.

An inquiry had initially been launched, but the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) decided to drop the proceedings after finding no evidence of any criminality.

In 2024, Mr Byrne featured in the BBC documentary, The Boy Who Can Fly, which focused on his journey toward becoming a champion skydiver.

Swiss police reported that three wingsuit flyers executed a jump from Gitschen at approximately 2,400 metres (7,874ft) above sea level towards Seedorf, with the 24-year-old subsequently crashing into a rocky outcrop at around 2,100 metres (6,889ft) above sea level.

A report from the Swiss Federal Prosecutor’s Office said that the first two people jumped and landed without incident, however the third person to jump crashed and suffered fatal injuries.

It said that proceedings would be discontinued if there was nothing to substantiate any suspected criminality that would justify charges.

The report said: “It is highly probable that the fatal crash was a result of a hopeless situation which arose following insufficient lift and low height above the ground resulting in the collision.”

It added: “There are no indications of punishable actions by third parties which might have contributed to the crash, or of any pre-existing technical faults in equipment the flyer used which might have contributed to the crash.”

The report said that proceedings are therefore to be discontinued.

In a statement following the 24-year-old’s death, the Byrne family said: “We would like to remember Liam not just for the way he left this world, but for how he lived in it.

“Liam was fearless, not necessarily because he wasn’t afraid but because he refused to let fear hold him back.

“He chased life in a way that most of us only dream of and he soared.

“Skydiving and base jumping was more than just a thrill for Liam – it was freedom. It was where he felt most alive.

“Liam was more than just an adventurer. He was a son, brother, grandson, cousin and friend. He was a source of laughter and strength.

“He inspired all of us and made life better with his bold spirit and kind heart.

“We will miss Liam’s wild energy and contagious laugh.

“Though he has now flown beyond our reach, he will always be with us.”