Albert Dyrlund, a popular Danish YouTube star and Instagram influencer with hundreds of thousands of followers, has died after falling hundreds of feet in the Italian Alps while filming a video. He was 22.
His mother, Vibe Jørger Jensen, confirmed her son’s death — the latest in a series of tragic accidents during social media stunts — to the Danish news outlet TV2 while also requesting privacy for his family during this difficult time.
“We are in great grief, but I would like his fans to know,” she said of the YouTuber with 171,000 subscribers, according to Newsweek.
Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also confirmed the young influencer’s death to Copenhagen newspaper Ekstra Bladet.
In addition to his large social media followings (he also boasted 235,000 Instagram followers), Dyrlund was known for his songs “Emoji” and “Waffles” as well as the 2019 comedy film “Team Albert.”
The comedian and musician was filming content for his eponymous YouTube channel when he plummeted 656 feet off Mount Seceda in Val Gardena, a scenic location high in the mountain range. While a rescue helicopter was deployed, it was too late, and Dyrlund was pronounced dead at the scene, Italian broadcaster Rai reported.
Following his death, friends and fans took to Twitter to mourn the tragic young internet star.
“Rest in peace Albert Dyrlund. This is pretty surreal. [H]e was only 22 years … for internationals, he had been a Danish YouTuber since a young age and very known in Denmark,” tweeted one fan.
“I’m completely out of it. I am ready to cry and empty of words. I can not understand it. I will forever remember all our memories… Thanks for this time, my friend. Rest in peace,” tweeted fellow Danish YouTube sensation Rasmus Brohave in Danish.
Some took the opportunity to both commemorate Dyrlund’s life and remind others to prioritize safety over filming.
“We’ve lost a big Danish YouTuber Albert Dyrlund, 22 yrs. He died while filming a YouTube video on a cliff in Italy. May he rest in peace,” one person tweeted. “And please be careful when making risky videos. It’s not worth it.”
