Audi Italy chief Fabrizio Longo has died after plunging from 10,000 feet to his death while climbing the Adamello mountains in northern Italy. The accident occurred when Longo, an avid mountaineer, was climbing the Cima Payer in the Adamello mountains in northern Italy, according to reports.

The 62-year-old top executive was climbing along the route equipped with fixed steel cables, ladders, and other aids when the accident happened. He reportedly plunged into a 700-foot gorge, from where his body was later fished out by rescue officials.

A fellow climber who saw Longo plunge into the depths immediately alerted the emergency services. A helicopter team was deployed to rescue the executive, which located his body.

Reports added that he was a frequent visitor to the Adamello mountains and the Prosecutor's Office is investigating, and a date for the funeral will be set after Longo's body is released to his family.

Who is Longo?

Longo, who started his career in at Fiat in 1987, was in marketing before taking charge of the Lancia brand in 2002. He joined Audi in 2012, and became director of the company's Italian operations the following year.

The company mourned his death, stating that "Fabrizio Longo has been leading the Audi brand in Italy with enormous success since 2013." They added that Longo was “a person of great integrity, culture, capability and sensitivity."

He was also well-known in the winter sports community. The International Ski and Snowboard Federation released a statement mourning his death. Flavio Roda, the head of the federation, called Longo’s death "a terrible loss for the federation that has collaborated fruitfully with Longo for years."

"We join the family in this moment of great pain, and with the staff of Audi Italia," he said.