A popular extreme sports influencer tragically lost his life after attempting a daring bike ride down a volcano in Mexico.
David Ernesto Villarreal Pérez, 27, and a friend had just reached the summit of Pico de Orizaba on Wednesday—one of many adventurous feats for the young cycling enthusiast.
After conquering the 18,491ft peak, the pair began descending on their bikes. But as they approached a treacherous spot called El Sarcófago (The Coffin), the difficult terrain caused Villarreal to lose control. He fell, hitting his head, and lost consciousness at an altitude of over 16,732ft.
Villarreal’s friend, Brandon Arturo Pérez Guerrero, called emergency services around noon, but the rugged terrain and harsh weather made it difficult for rescuers to reach them quickly. It took more than seven hours for help to arrive.
When the rescue team found Villarreal, he still had vital signs, though unconscious. He was placed on a stretcher for the descent, but tragically, by 8 p.m., he had passed away from severe blood loss and multiple fractures.
The incident occurred on Pico de Orizaba, North America’s highest volcano, towering at 18,491 feet. A spokesperson for the Puebla state government explained that the area was difficult to access, and the weather conditions made it impossible to use helicopters, forcing rescuers to climb on foot.
Villarreal’s friend was able to descend on foot, while rescuers carried Villarreal down the volcano. Thankfully, he was unharmed.
In an emotional tribute, Villarreal’s girlfriend, Arantza Cavazos, wrote, “You were an incredible man, David. I hope to meet you again in another life and have all the adventures we planned together.”
David shared his love for cycling with over half a million followers online, capturing his extreme adventures on YouTube and social media. His father, Ernesto, paid tribute, saying, “Come back high, you know that we love you, and you will always be in our hearts. You were always authentic, fearless, and doing what you loved.”
Known for his bold feats, Villarreal was an extreme cyclist and mountaineer who traveled the world to test the limits of nature. He had even spent a month living on Pico de Orizaba in 2020 and cycled 12,000km from Mexico to Argentina last year.
Fellow cyclist Bernardo Daniel Moreno Almaguer shared a heartfelt message, saying, “We are saddened to hear this news. You left your mark on the tracks all over Mexico.”