A former entrepreneur who transitioned into skydiving shared a meaningful message on social media shortly before a tragic incident claimed his life. Gabriel Farrel, renowned for his pizza business in Brazil, met a fatal accident when his parachute malfunctioned during a jump over Rio de Janeiro’s Reserva Beach. Despite being rushed to the hospital, the 31-year-old succumbed to his injuries.
Just a day before the accident, Farrel posted a touching video running with his dog on Conrado Beach with the caption emphasizing the importance of cherishing life daily. With a significant following on Instagram and TikTok, tributes poured in for Gabriel from his admirers, highlighting his positive and joyful nature.
One tribute described him as a beacon of positivity, while another praised his ability to radiate light wherever he went. Vinicius Lousada, in an emotional message, honored Farrel for his energy and zest for life, reflecting on the profound impact he had on others.
Originally trained as an engineer, Gabriel pursued his passion for cooking and founded the popular Borda & Lenha pizzeria chain, which grew from a mobile setup to over 70 franchises across Brazil. His appearance on Shark Tank Brazil in 2021 further elevated his profile and secured investments for expanding his business.
Apart from his culinary ventures, Farrel was an active social media user, sharing insights on entrepreneurship and showcasing his adventurous side through extreme sports like powered paragliding and BASE jumping. His tragic accident occurred in the wake of another skydiving fatality involving Jade Damarell, underscoring the risks associated with the sport.
Jade Damarell, an experienced skydiver with over 400 jumps, tragically lost her life in a skydiving accident in Co Durham, UK, reportedly due to a deliberate lack of parachute activation. The inquest into her death revealed that her failure to engage the back-up safety system, known as the Automatic Activation Device (AAD), led to the fatal outcome. The coroner ruled her death as a suicide.
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