A top Audi executive who was an avid mountain climber fell 10,000 feet to his death in a tragic accident just a few miles from the Italian-Swiss border on Sunday, according to reports.
Fabrizio Longo, 62, who ran the luxury car company's Italy-based operations, was climbing the Cima Paier peak in the Adamello Mountains of northern Italy when he fell near the summit, several European news outlets reported.
Rescue teams arrived at the scene after another climber witnessed the accident and called for help.
A helicopter team found Longo's body in a ravine about 700 feet below.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
His body was taken to the nearby Italian town of Carisolo.
Local authorities have launched an investigation.
Longo, who is an expert climber, reportedly climbed via a route equipped with fixed steel cables, ladders and other supporting equipment. According to The Sun,
Longo has been the head of Audi's operations in Italy since 2013. He joined the company last year.
In 1987 he began his career in the automotive industry with Italian car manufacturer Fiat, where he worked in the marketing department.
Fifteen years later, he joined rival Italian car manufacturer Lancia.
Longo was well known in the winter sports community.
The International Ski and Snowboard Federation issued a statement mourning his demise.
Federation head Flavio Roda described Longo's death as “a terrible loss for the federation, which had fruitfully collaborated with Longo for years.”
“Our thoughts are with the family and with the employees of Audi Italia in this hour of grief,” he said.
The Post has sought comment from Audi.