Audi Italy boss Fabrizio Longo dies in tragic accident after falling from 3,000 meter high mountain

Fabrizio Longo, head of the Italian business of luxury car manufacturer Audi, has died in a tragic mountaineering accident near the Italian-Swiss border.

According to the New York Post, the Audi boss, an avid mountaineer, fell 3,000 meters while climbing the Cima Payer in the Adamello mountains. Longo, 62, was close to the summit when the accident occurred that led to his death.

The fall was noticed by a nearby hiker who called for help, and rescue teams rushed to the scene. Longo's body was found by a helicopter team about 210 meters deep in a ravine.

Longo's death was confirmed at the scene of the accident and his body was transported to the Italian town of Carisolo. Local authorities have launched an investigation into the accident.

The International Ski and Snowboard Federation released a statement mourning Longo's death. “A terrible loss for the federation, which has worked successfully with Longo for years. In this moment of great pain, we are united with the family and employees of Audi Italia,” Flavio Roda, the federation's president, was quoted as saying.

Who was Fabrizio Longo?

Fabrizio Longo was born in Ramini, Italy, in 1962. He began his career in the automotive industry in 1987 when he joined Fiat's marketing department. In 2002, he took over the management of the Lancia brand.

Longo joined Audi 10 years later, in 2012, and within a year was appointed the company's Italy director. Under his leadership, the company built close relationships and sponsorship agreements with several winter sports federations.

The Audi top manager was also an experienced mountaineer and had already climbed several difficult routes. Longo frequently visited the Adamello Mountains and advocated protecting the area from environmental changes.