A SCOTTISH daredevil has died while base-jumping from a mountain in Italy.
Robert Heggarty died when he collided with a rock face after leaping from a 9,500ft peak in the Dolomites on Sunday.
The 47-year-old, originally from Dumfries, reportedly deployed his parachute but hit the rock wall and was killed on impact.
Rescuers battled to reach him but were thwarted by the remote location. A helicopter was eventually deployed to pick up his body.
Base-jumping is an extreme sport where parachutists dive from mountain tops and other heights, instead of leaping from aircraft.
The Italian police suggested that Mr Heggarty, who was based in Andover, Hampshire, took off too close to the rock face.
A spokesman said: "We were alerted by several witnesses who had seen the man get into trouble.
"One theory is that he didn't time his take-off well and was too close to the side of the mountain.
"His body was recovered by a three-strong team and that was a very difficult operation, which involved lowering his body by harness 160ft."
It is understood that the Scot was an experienced base-jumper who would travel around the world to take part in the sport.
He was jumping with a group of friends when the accident happened.
A spokesman for his employer, Schneider Electric, said: "We are devastated to hear the tragic news about one of our employees, Robert Haggerty, who died in a base-jumping accident in Italy over the weekend.
"Robert will be deeply missed by all those that knew him. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this very sad time."
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