Famous LA Man Killed In Icelandic Sightseeing Plane Crash

AKUREYRI, ICELAND — Josh Neuman, a Los Angeles-based skateboarder who amassed nearly 2 million followers on YouTube, was one of four people who died when a sightseeing plane crashed into a lake in Iceland, authorities said.

The remains of four people were found at the bottom of Lake Thingvallavatn, police in Iceland said Sunday.

"They were prepared to dive after them, but as the weather is deteriorating rapidly, it was decided to stop operations as it is not possible to ensure the safety of the divers in the current conditions," police said in a news release.

Neuman, 22, was on the flight to create commercial content for the Belgian fashion brand Suspicious Antwerp. He was known for creating some of the most-watched skateboarding videos on YouTube. In one video that was watched 60 million time, he skates at 70 mph down a Switzerland mountain. In another video from 2020, he skates downhill in a "race against the storm." That video attracted more than 106 million views.

Neuman was based in Los Angeles after leaving Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where he attended the university for several years before taking up content creation full time.

A post to Neuman's Instagram account thanked his supporters and said his team plans to keep the influencer's legacy alive forever.

"Every single one of you meant so much to Josh," the post said.

Neuman's parents, Kristin and Chris, said in a statement they were heartbroken.

"The entire world mourns with us as we are devastated and heartbroken to announce that our son, and Daniel's brother, Josh Neuman, has suddenly left us," the parents said.

Neuman represents the side of humanity that everyone tries to achieve, they said.

"The way he not just touched but impacted lives was on a scale of its own," the parents said. "In his quest for adventure, thirst for creativity, and passion for personal reflection, he truly impacted all those he touched."

Also on the plane with Neuman were Tim Alings, sponsorship manager for Suspicious Antwerp; and Nicola Bellavia, a 32-year-old skydiver and social media influencer from Belgium, The Associated Press reported. Haraldur Diego, 49, was piloting the plane and was considered a prominent aviator and a pioneer of photography tours. Poor weather prevented divers from retrieving the bodies.

"For the safety of divers, we have to wait until the weather improves," police chief Oddur Arnason told The Associated Press.

Neuman started making videos at age 12 with his father's video camera. He dropped out of college to pursue a career in extreme sports and filmmaking.

In 2020, he published a sponsored video for Suspicious Antwerp, skating on a longboard down a winding road in Los Angeles.

Suspicious Antwerp spokesman Bram Boriau said the purpose of the flight was to capture footage of Iceland's stunning scenery.

"All persons present were hugely passionate about travel and content creation, hence these themes were the main focus of the trip," he told the AP in an email.

The fashion brand said in a statement: "We are enormously distressed by the news and our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends."

Fans remembered Neuman on social media as a talented young man with a bright future.

"Pouring one out for Josh Neumann - the guy in those Alps longboarding videos," wrote Twitter user @InkICan. "Talented guy, bright future - what a loss."

"Please keep Josh Neuman’s family in your thoughts and prayers, I went to high school with Josh and I was always so impressed that he chased his dreams to no end, so much so that he left UNC to pursue it full time, whether it be longboarding, skydiving, adventure, or whatever else," tweeted @MatthewJTravis_.

"Josh Neuman. Innovator, inspirer, uplifter, ground-breaker & a golden human," tweeted social media influencer @mrjakehumphrey. "RIP"