Freeskier turned professional rap artist Jon McMurray died after an airplane stunt for a music video went wrong above the BC Interior. Jon James McMurray was being filmed wing-walking when he fell and died on Saturday. His management team said he was “beacon of light to follow your dreams.”
His body was found in a field in the community of Westwold, northwest of Vernon, just before 7 pm PT, reports CBC.
McMurray’s management team released a statement on his death yesterday, claiming he’d been training ‘intensively’ for the stunt for months. He planned to walk on the wing of a small Cessna plane while rapping for the video.
During the shoot, he walked too far out on the wing and sent the aircraft into a downward spiral. Jon held onto the wing until it was too late, and by the time he let go didn’t have time to pull his parachute. He died on impact.
The pilot was able to right the plane and no one else was hurt.
McMurray, who was born in Calgary but lived in Los Angeles, made his name as a freeskier. He switched from professional sports to music after a slew of injuries, including a broken back, more than a decade ago.
His management team said his love for extreme stunts has remained a pillar in his music career.
“His passion for making music videos and performing stunts were combined, and Jon pushed music in a new direction that was unchartered territory,” the statement read.
His lifelong friend, fellow freeskier Rory Bushfield, posted a tribute to McMurray on Instagram on Sunday night, and in an interview said he was lucky enough to get to know McMurray.
“[He] was the best, the most positive, bring everyone up around you, beautiful human being. He just never said a mean thing about anyone … his drive and passion for what he loved was like nothing you’ve ever seen. He was living his ultimate dream, free and full.”
McMurray leaves behind his wife, parents and brother. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help with his celebration of life.
