AKUREYRI, ICELAND. (THECOUNT) — Josh Neuman, a pro downhill skateboarder, entrepreneur and filmmaker, was identified as one of four victims killed in a Saturday sightseeing plane crash in Iceland. Neuman was working on a commercial shoot for Belgian fashion brand Suspicious Antwerp when the crash occurred.
Neuman, 22, Tim Alings, Suspicious Antwerp’s sponsorship manager, 27; and Nicola Bellavia, a 32-year-old skydiver and social media influencer from Belgium, were all killed along with the pilot, 49-year-old Haraldur Diego. Their bodies were recovered Sunday.
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Foul weather hampered search efforts, according to reports.
The Cessna 172 crash occurred on Lake Thingvallavatn, Iceland’s second-largest lake sometime Sunday. Officials said the aircraft did not send a distress signal after disappearing from radar on Thursday.
Diego was considered one of Iceland’s most prominent aviators and a pioneer of photography tours.
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 by email.
Via MountainFilm website on Neuman:
“As a pro downhill skateboarder, entrepreneur and filmmaker, Josh Neuman has learned that the human desire for adrenaline knows no boundaries. Reaching speeds of up to 70 mph on his skateboard, Neuman has garnered more than 17 million views of his exploits on YouTube. He also runs his own media production company, NeuVision Media, based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Neuman is the director and subject in Raw Run: The Cliffs of France (Mountainfilm 2020).”
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Geo quick facts: Iceland, a Nordic island nation, is defined by its dramatic landscape with volcanoes, geysers, hot springs and lava fields. Massive glaciers are protected in Vatnajökull and Snæfellsjökull national parks. Most of the population lives in the capital, Reykjavik, which runs on geothermal power and is home to the National and Saga museums, tracing Iceland’s Viking history – wikipedia.