He had been camping in northern Sweden
A YouTuber who died during a freak snowstorm in Sweden sent one final message to his family before his death.
Belgian content creator Storm De Beul, 22, had spent much of this year hiking though Swedish Lapland. However, he tragically died after getting caught in a freak blizzard, with his body discovered on October 30.
According to the Daily Mail, De Beul was a day’s walk away from his car when the storm struck the Jokkmokk region of Sweden on October 29.
He is understood to have contacted authorities requesting help and saying he was injured, but the conditions meant no one was able to come and help him.
The following day, De Beul’s body was found when rescuers went to his location. His lower legs and feet were frozen and his nose appeared to be broken, suggesting he had fallen and hurt himself.
Before he died, De Beul, who ran the YouTube channel @StormOutdoorsy, managed to leave a heartbreaking final message for his grandmother, saying: “It’s snowing heavily here. But don’t worry, I’ll survive, you know.”
He also sent a video to a friend showing how heavy snowfall had filled his shoes and backpack, with wind battering his tent.
In the video, the YouTuber said: “Tonight, it’s going to get worse. Jesus Christ.”
His body was found a short distance from his tent, and it is unclear why he decided to leave his shelter.
His mother, Elisabeth Rademaker told Belgian media outlet 7sur7 the horrific conditions may have left hiim with no choice.
She said: “Trees were uprooted that night. Maybe his tent also blew away and he had no choice but to start walking.
“But it was -6C, and because of the storm it even felt like -18C. His feet and lower legs were frozen. His hands weren’t, he might still have had his hand warmers with him.”
De Beul’s backpack only contained a sleeping bag and a toothbrush when he was found.
“He must have suffered for a long time and died alone,” the mother said. “I keep imagining his last moments. It devastates me.”
His father Bout has said he wants to travel to the remote Swedish region to try and understand more about his son’s final days and locate his camera.
He said: “His videos are a priceless legacy for us. But now his camera is there, somewhere in the snow, full of images from his very last trek.
“I would love nothing more than to get it back. Imagine if his camera and memory card were still there. I know the chances are slim, but I have to try.”
