A bold British influencer known for his adrenaline-fueled behaviors was sadly killed in Spain while trying another heart-stopping climb.
The explorer, who had acquired a big social media following for his magnificent climbs and dangerous achievements, died on October 13, causing shockwaves throughout the online community and triggering a torrent of tributes from family, friends, and followers.
The incident occurred at Spain’s tallest bridge, the Castilla-La Mancha Bridge, which stands at 630 feet.
Lewis Stevenson, a 26-year-old thrill-seeker from Derby, had gone to the historic bridge in Talavera de la Reina, a tiny town southwest of Madrid, with a 24-year-old friend.
The two were reportedly creating a stunt video for social media in which Stevenson routinely demonstrated his high-risk adventures without safety equipment.
Stevenson had created a name for himself in the realm of ‘rooftopping,’ a hazardous pastime that involved scaling buildings and structures without any safety equipment.
His social media feed was packed with breathtaking photographs from throughout the world, including spectacular climbs in New York, London, and Croatia.
Despite repeated warnings from his family to avoid such risky pursuits, Stevenson remained unconcerned about the dangers, believing he would emerge uninjured.
The true scope of the disaster was realized only after a passing vehicle informed authorities.
When Spanish authorities arrived, they discovered Stevenson had fallen from 40 to 50 meters, or roughly a fifth of the bridge’s overall height.
Despite the rapid reaction of emergency personnel, Stevenson’s life could not be spared.
The specific circumstances surrounding the fall are unknown, but local police believe that terrible weather, including slippery surfaces from recent rain, may have contributed to the catastrophe.
According to city councillor Macarena Munoz, access to the bridge has long been barred, and climbing the bridge is “totally banned.”
Following the unfortunate accident, tributes have flowed in from Stevenson’s loved ones and other adventurers.
His grandfather, Clifford Stevenson, emotionally shared the family’s grief: “We all tried to persuade him out of it. We were constantly trying to persuade him out of doing things, but it was just who he was. He enjoyed doing it and always went out there confident he’d be fine.
Close friends also used social media to share their grief.
Fellow rooftopping enthusiast Louie_W1 wrote on Instagram: “Knowing you has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. And losing you is the greatest sadness of my life… I’m proud of every building, every rooftop, every moment of our time together.”
Another friend, Vil1iany, reflected on how Stevenson had profoundly influenced his life, stating: “In the past seven years you introduced me to a new understanding of freedom… Your fearless mentality will stick with me for the rest of my life.”
While Stevenson’s social media profile was primarily focused on his death-defying acts, his personal life was also remembered.
His girlfriend, Savannah Parker, expressed her sadness online, calling his death “a nightmare” and imploring, “Please come back. Answer the phone.”
Stevenson’s daring character fascinated many, but in the end, his unwavering quest of adventure took his life.
He collapsed while attempting to scale Spain’s tallest bridge, the Castilla-La Mancha Bridge, leaving behind a community of family, friends, and fans who are still mourning his untimely death.
Featured Image Credit: (Facebook/@Lewis Stevenson)
