A 22-year-old Belgian boy was found dead in Sweden, where he had gone hiking. Caught in a snowstorm, he had tried to reassure his family the day before.
In her last moments, Storm De Beul wanted to reassure her loved ones. Going hiking in the Swedish forests, this 22-year-old Belgian was found dead on October 30, in the Jokkmokk region. His last message before dying was addressed to his grandmother: “It’s snowing heavily here. But don't worry, I'll survive, you know.
The young adventurer, who was surprised by a violent snowstorm, was unfortunately mistaken. Speaking to the Belgian media Leuven Actueel, his grandmother explained that Storm De Beul was “one day from his final destination” when he contacted emergency services on the night of October 29 to 30, saying he was injured.
Information from the Belgian daily Het Laatste Nieuws indicates that rescuers were unable to reach him due to weather conditions. The young man was already dead when they were finally able to get there.
To 7sur7 the young man's mother, Elisabeth Rademaker, explained that it is possible that her son tried to reach his car, located about 15km from where he had pitched his tent, on foot and in the storm.
“We're not sure. But trees were uprooted that night. Maybe his tent flew away too and he had no choice but to start walking. But it was -6, and because of the storm, it even felt like it was -18. His feet and lower legs were frozen […] And since he had broken his nose, it is possible that he fell too,” she said.
He “really liked being alone”
The hiker began his exploration of the Swedish forests this summer, documenting his adventures on his YouTube channel.
Storm de Beul's father described him as “someone who had trouble bonding” and “really liked being alone.” Going on adventures regularly “made him really happy” and allowed him, according to those close to him, to “choose his own path, literally and figuratively.”
The young man's body was repatriated to Belgium and his funeral was organized on Saturday November 23. His father said he planned to go to Sweden after the winter to find the camera containing the images of his son's last hike. Like a final tribute.
