Stacey Tourout and Matthew Yeomans, the popular Canadian couple behind the YouTube channel Toyota World Runners, have tragically died in an off-road crash near their home in British Columbia.
Known for their travel adventures, campervan builds, and off-roading exploits, the couple amassed hundreds of thousands of followers who tuned in to watch their journeys across North and South America, per the Mirror.
The news of their deaths was shared by friends and family on social media, sending shockwaves through their dedicated fanbase.
The couple was involved in a fatal crash on August 7 while traveling in the mountains near Trout Lake in the West Kootenay region.
According to Kaslo Search and Rescue (SAR), the incident occurred on a remote forestry road.
Mark Jennings-Bates, a manager with Kaslo SAR, explained that rescuers received precise location information, which enabled them to respond quickly despite the challenging terrain.
“Our teams were able to get to them efficiently. It’s a long journey, but they got there efficiently, so that was very, very helpful,” he said, noting that a helicopter was able to fly directly to the scene.
When SAR teams arrived, one of the couple was found dead at the scene, while the other was rushed to the hospital, where they later died from their injuries.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation, though rescuers suspect that the couple may have lost control while navigating rough terrain.
Although it remains unclear whether the couple was filming for their channel at the time, their channel had previously featured several off-road adventures, including their journey to build the “world’s first Land Cruiser Chinook in 100 days.”
Stacey and Matthew’s YouTube channel, Toyota World Runners, attracted a devoted following of over 200,000 subscribers, with their Instagram account also boasting 72,000 followers.
Their videos showcased their travels, campervan refurbishments, and off-roading escapades, which inspired fans to embark on their own adventures.
One of their most notable projects was creating a custom off-road camper by combining a Toyota Chinook camper and a Toyota Land Cruiser, a project that captured the imagination of their audience.
Fans flooded the couple’s social media channels with tributes following the heartbreaking news.
Fellow content creator Colin Stuart, who runs the Dirt Theory channel, shared his grief on Facebook, revealing that he had been with the couple at the time of the crash, per the Sun.
“I was with them when it happened and did everything in my power to save them. Those were the hardest 20 hours I have ever lived. The hardest decisions I have ever had to make,” Stuart wrote, expressing his sorrow over the tragic loss. "This is a big loss for the offroad community and a bigger loss to Matthew's and Stacey's family and close friends."
The loss has left a significant void in the off-road and travel communities, with fans and fellow creators mourning the untimely deaths of the beloved couple.
Shaun, the creator behind The Story Till Now YouTube channel, who had been in regular contact with the couple, shared his grief in an emotional tribute. “They were so young and full of life, so talented, and this is a huge loss for our off-road community, their friends and family, and the world,” Shaun wrote.
Shaun, who had been planning to meet Stacey and Matthew in person, reflected on a conversation he had with Matthew just a day before the crash.
“We joked about how we would have finally met up the next day if not for my Jeep breaking down, but talked about getting some firm plans on the books for a trip next month. They tragically passed away that very next day in an accident, and I’m just devastated over it,” Shaun shared.