Famous rapper tragically dies while falling from the wing of a plane

A Canadian rapper fell to his death in British Columbia while performing an airplane stunt on Saturday. One of his close friends said, “he knew the risks.”

Jon James McMurray, 34, was filming a stunt that required rapping while walking on the wing of a plane when things turned tragic. According to a statement from his management:

“As Jon got further out onto the wing of the plane, it caused the small Cessna to go into a downward spiral that the pilot couldn't correct. Jon held onto the wing until it was too late, and by the time he let go, he didn't have time to pull his chute. He impacted and died instantly."

The British Columbia’s coroner’s service said there were two planes involved and no one else was injured. The aircraft from which the rapper fell off, and its pilot later landed safely, and local media reports that police are investigating the death.

McMurray, a professional skier who was retired by injuries, is said to have trained for the stunt “intensively.” After having to leave skiing, he turned to music where according to his team, “his passion for making music videos and performing stunts were combined, and Jon pushed music in a new direction that was uncharted territory.”

The deceased’s childhood friend, professional skier Rory Wayne Bushfield described McMurray as an amazing skier who holds the record for the first ever backflip from one rail to another. He also revealed the late rapper had a talent for music and was once in a rock band before turning to rap.

Bushfield further described his late friend as one who always saw the bright side of life. "It was a tragedy when he broke his back ... but he took that as a positive, and it drove him to do some incredible things," he said.

After explaining that McMurray practiced the stunt for months, Bushfield said:

"Life is short, we all know that. He shone so bright. We know he knew the risks. He's inspired us so much and will forever."

Here's one of McMurray's music videos where he's seen performing another airplane stunt:

Our thoughts and prayers are with the friends and family of McMurray during this tough time.