A thrill-seeking photographer from the Midlands has died after falling from the highest bridge in Spain during a dangerous free climb, an inquest has heard.
A Fatal Climb on a Spanish Landmark
Lewis Stevenson, a 26-year-old from West Hallam, Derbyshire, was scaling the 630ft-high Castilla La Mancha bridge in Talavera de la Reina on Sunday, October 13, 2024. The experienced "rooftopper" and his friend began their ascent in the early hours, using the elevator rail on the central mast without any safety equipment.
As they reached the height of the first cables, Stevenson, who was climbing ahead, asked his companion to take the lead because he was feeling unwell. Moments later, his body went limp and he fell from the immense structure.
An Inquest into a Tragic Descent
A written inquest held by coroner Susan Evans on Monday, December 22, concluded that Lewis died from blunt force head injuries and an uncontrolled descent from height. The hearing described him as an "experienced free climber" who had scaled numerous large structures worldwide, including New York skyscrapers and hotel roofs in Mexico.
His passion for climbing extreme heights was well-documented on his social media, where he shared photographs and videos of his exploits. Despite the obvious risks, his family said he was knowledgeable about his limits.
'My Boy, My World': A Family's Heartbreak
Paying tribute, his mother said: "Lewis was my boy, my world and my biggest achievement. He was a thrill seeker who loved to travel and have new experiences." She explained that the family supported his global adventures to places like Easter Island and Machu Picchu, but did not always agree with his penchant for climbing great heights.
"He knew his limits and never did anything beyond them," she added. "He was a keen photographer and he did this all for passion, not as an influencer. There will forever be a hole in our hearts and life will not be the same again."
The tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the extreme dangers associated with the rooftopping and free climbing subculture, where participants often forgo safety harnesses to scale urban structures and natural landmarks.
