Popular Off‑Roading YouTubers Lost Their Lives in Remote Backcountry Crash

A Nanaimo, B.C., couple with a global following for their off‑road expeditions has died after a crash in the B.C. Interior, authorities and family said. Stacey Tourout and Matthew Yeomans, the creators behind the Toyota World Runners YouTube channel, were killed on Aug. 7 when their vehicle rolled on a remote forestry road near Trout Lake in the Purcell Range, according to People and CBC News.

As overland enthusiasts ourselves who love exploring back roads in our Sprinter van, this story hits particularly close to home. Our hearts go out to the victims and their families.

What Exactly Happened?

The non‑profit Kaslo Search & Rescue (SAR) said it received a call about a “serious motor vehicle rollover” at around 6:30 p.m. local time on Aug. 7 near Silver Cup Ridge, adjacent to Trout Lake, and deployed two ground teams, a quad team and a helicopter, according to a statement cited by People.

SAR manager Mark Jennings‑Bates said one individual was found with no vital signs at the scene and a second person — disoriented and seriously injured — was airlifted to Nakusp Hospital, where she later died, People reported. Jennings-Bates also described the location details and response timeline in an interview with CBC.

“It was a challenging rescue and recovery for the team after an intensely busy few days,” Jennings‑Bates said, noting that remote access, high altitude and limited daylight added complexity to the operation, according to People. The precise cause of the crash has not been released; Jennings‑Bates told CBC that a loss of control on rough terrain is suspected. It was not known if filming was underway at the time.

Creators Known for Builds, Big Miles and a Loyal Community

Tourout and Yeomans documented their travels and custom builds for more than 200,000 subscribers on YouTube and nearly 74,000 followers on Instagram, according to People. Their channel description highlights a signature project — building the “world’s first Land Cruiser Chinook in 100 days” — and their goal to drive the Pan‑American Highway and beyond while sharing lessons from the road.

In posts shared six days before the crash, the couple wrote about time on Vancouver Island, expressing joy in the simple moments of summer, People reported. The pair, from Nanaimo, B.C., became engaged in April 2024, an event Yeomans shared in a video on his Facebook page.

Family and Community Mourn “An Amazing Love Story”

News of their deaths was first shared by friends and family on social media and confirmed by SAR, CBC reported. In a public post cited by People, Stacey’s mother, Colleen Tourout, wrote: “With unimaginable heartache, the families of Matthew Peter Yeomans and Stacey Tourout would like to advise that we lost them both tragically succumbing to injuries in an offroad accident on Aug. 7, 2025 in the beautiful mountains of British Columbia that they loved so much. … They are together forever as we knew they would always be.”

Creators and fans across the off‑road community also posted tributes, including the channel The Story Till Now, which called the couple “so young and full of life… a huge loss,” according to CBC. Their body of work fostered a large, engaged audience around overlanding culture.

Authorities Urge Caution for Overlanders in the B.C. Backcountry

Jennings‑Bates urged travelers to prepare thoroughly for mountainous routes and remote forestry roads — known for narrow lanes, unstable surfaces, blind curves and rapidly changing weather — because even with accurate locations, rescue teams can face long approaches. SAR said accurate coordinates aided a quicker response on Aug. 7, but daylight constraints and high‑elevation access still complicated the mission.

For those following in the couple’s tire tracks — whether in Sprinter vans, trucks or RVs — officials and veteran travelers alike recommend carrying recovery equipment and reliable communication tools, traveling with partners when possible, monitoring daylight closely and checking current road advisories before committing to remote tracks (background: Kaslo SAR).

As overlanders ourselves in a Sprinter van, we tend to stick to roads that aren’t too hazardous and carry appropriate emergency communications equipment, like our Garmin InReach Mini and Starlink Mini. Overlanding does have risks, such as difficult terrain and potential for rollovers.

The Influencers’ Impact and Legacy on the Overland Community

Tourout and Yeomans’ videos and posts, including their ambitious build work and long‑form travel films, will continue to circulate among a growing overlanding audience (YouTube channel; selected videos: Land Cruiser Chinook build, Vancouver Island off‑road).

Their community remembers them as creative, disciplined, and generous with their knowledge — qualities that helped newcomers understand the realities of remote travel while celebrating its rewards. Their presence on YouTube and Instagram will be sorely missed.