• Influencer couple Stacey Tourout and Matthew Yeomans died in a 656ft off-road plunge near Trout Lake, British Columbia.
• The seasoned adventurers lost control of their vehicle on a steep forestry road, rolling “many times” before impact.
• Fans and fellow off-roaders worldwide are mourning, remembering them as innovators and beloved figures in the community.

A beloved Canadian influencer couple known for pushing the limits of off-road adventure has died in a devastating crash, sending shockwaves through fans and the tight-knit four-wheel-drive community worldwide.

Stacey Tourout and Matthew Yeomans, the adventurous duo behind the popular Toyota World Runners YouTube channel, were killed on August 7 after their vehicle lost control and tumbled hundreds of feet down a rugged mountainside near Trout Lake, British Columbia.

The pair weren’t casual thrill-seekers. With over 200,000 YouTube subscribers and 72,000 Instagram followers, they had made a living from showcasing the wildest, most remote landscapes across North and South America. They were seasoned explorers, familiar with danger — which makes the tragedy even harder for their fans to accept.

A Fatal Descent in the Mountains They Loved

According to rescuers, the couple’s final journey began along a remote forestry road deep in the mountains outside Trout Lake. It was a place they knew well — a landscape of steep slopes, dense forest, and unforgiving terrain.

Mark Jennings-Bates, manager of the Kaslo Search and Rescue team, described the crash as both violent and heartbreaking. The vehicle reportedly lost traction on the treacherous path, pitching over the edge and plunging roughly 200 meters — about 656 feet — before slamming into the valley floor.

“They rolled many, many times,” Jennings-Bates told local media, noting that the couple would have endured a terrifying ride before the final impact.

When rescue crews arrived, one victim had already died. The other was alive but gravely injured, disoriented, and in critical condition. Despite being rushed to hospital, they too succumbed to their injuries. Authorities have not confirmed which partner died first.

The rescue operation itself was a challenge. “It was a long uphill journey to get to them,” Jennings-Bates said. “The area is rugged, hard to navigate, and we’ve had many callouts there before.”

A Love Story Cut Short

For those closest to Stacey and Matthew, the news has been almost too painful to process. Stacey’s mother, Colleen Tourout, confirmed the tragedy in a deeply emotional social media post.

“They died together in the beautiful mountains of British Columbia that they loved so much,” she wrote. “Please keep us and them in your thoughts and prayers as we navigate this devastating end to an amazing love story.”

The couple had recently become engaged and had been planning their future while continuing to travel and film. Their relationship was as much a part of their online presence as the vehicles they built and the trails they conquered.

Tributes Pour In From Around the World

In the days since their deaths, fans and fellow off-roaders have flooded social media with tributes.

“They were so young and full of life, so talented,” wrote Shaun, creator of The Story Till Now YouTube channel. “This is a huge loss for our community, their friends and family, and the world.”

Shaun revealed that he had spoken to Matthew only a day before the crash. His own Jeep had broken down, preventing a planned meet-up. “We joked about how we would finally meet the next day if not for my Jeep breaking down,” he said. “We talked about making firm plans for a trip next month. They passed away the very next day. I’m devastated.”

Another creator, Colin Stuart of Dirt Theory, had been with the couple when the accident happened. His words painted a picture of helplessness and heartbreak.

“I was with them when it happened and did everything in my power to save them,” he wrote. “Those were the hardest 20 hours I’ve ever lived, the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make. I’m sorry to all this has affected. This is a big loss for the off-road community and an even bigger loss to their families and friends.”

More Than Just Influencers

Stacey and Matthew weren’t just content creators — they were innovators. They earned widespread recognition for building the “world’s first Land Cruiser Chinook” in just 100 days, blending the body of a Toyota Chinook camper with the capabilities of a Toyota Land Cruiser to create a unique off-road-ready home on wheels.

Their projects often involved retrofitting and combining parts from different vehicles, transforming them into rugged, travel-ready machines capable of reaching remote corners of the world.

It’s unclear if they were driving their famous Land Cruiser at the time of the crash. Their final YouTube upload, posted on July 31, documented an off-road trip across Vancouver Island, showcasing the same adventurous spirit that drew thousands of fans to their channel.

A Dangerous Beauty

The area around Trout Lake is known for its breathtaking scenery — and its perilous roads. Steep drop-offs, loose gravel, and unpredictable weather make it a magnet for thrill-seekers and a challenge for even the most skilled drivers.

Jennings-Bates said his team has been called to multiple accidents in the same region. “People underestimate how quickly conditions can turn against you,” he warned, urging off-roaders to take extra precautions.

For Stacey and Matthew, the mountains were not just a backdrop but a second home. They chased sunsets from the highest ridges, camped in remote valleys, and shared their journeys with an audience eager to experience adventure vicariously through them. But the same landscapes that inspired their content also held deadly risks.

A Community in Mourning

In their obituary, friends described the pair as the “heart and soul” of the off-roading world. Their laughter, creativity, and fearless approach to life inspired not just their viewers, but also fellow travelers they met along the way.

Across forums and social media pages, fans are sharing their favorite moments — a daring river crossing, a breathtaking mountaintop view, the lighthearted banter between the two as they navigated tricky terrain. Some admit they feel as though they’ve lost friends, despite never meeting the couple in person.

The tragedy has also sparked conversations about safety in extreme outdoor sports. While off-roading offers freedom and excitement, it also demands respect for the terrain and an awareness that even the most experienced drivers are vulnerable.