Fabrizio Longo, a 62-year-old Audi executive and avid mountain climber, tragically fell to his death while ascending Cima Payer in the Adamello mountains, located near the Italian-Swiss border. The accident occurred at an elevation of 10,000 feet as Longo neared the summit. According to the New York Post, a fellow climber witnessed the fall and quickly alerted rescue teams.
Rescuers found Longo’s body 700 feet down a gorge, where he was pronounced dead. A helicopter team subsequently transported his remains to a hospital in Carisolo for further examination. Despite being equipped with various safety aids, including steel cables and ladders, the fall proved fatal.
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding Longo’s death is currently in progress. Once the autopsy and formalities are completed, Longo’s family will announce the date for his funeral.
Born in Rimini, Italy, in 1962, Longo graduated with a degree in political science. He began his career at Fiat in 1987, moving to Lancia in 2002 before joining Audi in 2012. By 2013, he was leading Audi’s operations in Italy. An Audi spokesperson praised Longo for his leadership and unwavering support, noting his impact on the brand’s success and the warmth he brought to the workplace.
In addition to his professional achievements, Longo was a dedicated advocate for environmental conservation. He was known for his efforts to protect the Adamello mountains from the effects of climate change.
The International Ski and Snowboard Federation also expressed their condolences, with Flavio Roda, the federation’s head, calling Longo’s death “a terrible loss” and joining Audi Italia in mourning.
