Skateboarder and YouTuber from NC dies in Iceland plane crash, authorities say
The remains of a popular skateboarder and social influencer from Union County were found at the bottom of a lake in Iceland days after the plane he was traveling in disappeared on Feb. 3, authorities in the North Atlantic island nation said Monday.
Josh Neuman, a 22-year-old with over a million YouTube subscribers, and three other men were aboard a sightseeing plane to create a commercial for Belgian fashion brand Suspicious Antwerp, the Associated Press reported.
Tim Alings, the company’s sponsorship manager, 27; Nicola Bellavia, a 32-year-old skydiver; and pilot Haraldur Diego, 49, also were killed, according to AP.
Icelandic authorities were prepared to retrieve the four bodies, but operations were stopped because of deteriorating weather. The plane, a Cessna 172, was found in Thingvallavatn Lake, about 30 miles east of Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik, on Saturday, according to AP.
Neuman, a graduate of Marvin Ridge High School in Waxhaw and UNC-Chapel Hill, created his YouTube channel in 2007. Many of his videos consist of him downhill skateboarding around the world. He created NeuVision Skate Co. in 2021, according to a YouTube video.
Neuman’s family confirmed his death in a statement posted on his Instagram and Facebook pages.
“The entire world mourns with us as we are devastated and heartbroken to announce our son, and Daniel’s brother, Josh Neuman has suddenly left us,” the statement said. “Josh represents the side of humanity we all strive to achieve. The way he not just touched, but impacted lives was on a scale of its own.”
The social media posts thanked his supporters.
“Every single one of you meant so much to Josh,” the posts said.
Suspicious Antwerp spokesman Bram Boriau told AP that the purpose of Neuman’s 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 said.
A message on the brand’s website thanked visitors for “their support, condolences and love.”
“The loss of our close friends has left all of us at Suspicious Antwerp in a state of mourning,” the message said.
This story was originally published February 9, 2022 at 5:37 PM.