High On Life is one of the leading travel vlogs out there, but this week a tragic accident involving three members of the group has left millions shocked, stunned and devastated.
High On Life, or SundayzFundayz, were followed by millions and since their first viral video in 2011, How To Dance When You’re High On Life, they’ve dedicated their lives to inspiring people to embrace all of life’s opportunities with open arms, see everything the world has to offer, and to never stop smiling.
Though most of us have never had the pleasure of meeting them, I think it’s safe to say that anyone who’s watched their channel feels as though they’ve laughed with them, explored with them and without a doubt, been inspired by them.
But this week, on Tuesday 3rd July, three members of High On Life tragically died in a waterfall accident at Shannon Falls, British Columbia, Canada. Two core members of the group, Ryker Gamble and Alexey Lyakh, are reported to have died trying to save Lyakh’s girlfriend, Megan Scraper, after she fell into one of the pools. The three friends fell 30 meters and after a two day search and rescue mission, their bodies were found on Wednesday evening.
The nature of their death and the overwhelming response from their followers shows just the kind of people they were: adventurous, fearless and most importantly, selfless and kind hearted. The group were more than just friends, they were family; and they would all have done anything for each other.
The death of these three adventurers is an absolute tragedy that has millions in mourning, but as Ryker’s cousin posted ‘you are gone but not forgotten.’ Their messages of friendship and positivity have already brightened so many people’s lives and the vloggers will live on through their videos and continue to inspire the travel community.
Yesterday the other members of High On Life published a video about the incident, asking followers to respect families’ privacy. They also read out a heartfelt message, one of Ryker’s poems:
If you have any thoughts, memories or kind words to say about any Ryker, Alexey or Megan, the rest of the group have asked that you use #HOLinspired so that they can collect all of the messages in one place.
Our thoughts are with Ryker, Alexey and Megan’s families and as one of the group’s followers posted on Facebook today: ‘may you have many adventures where you are now.’
I live in the UK, in the country’s most uneventful city, where the most interesting story in the local paper is about banning dressing gowns in supermarkets.
I travel and I write, because surely there are more interesting stories than that to write about and share.
