Cause of Death Revealed for ‘Thrill-Seeker’ Who Fell from Spain’s Tallest Bridge After Telling Friend He ‘Felt Sick’

The cause of death has been confirmed for a 26-year-old man who died last year while attempting to climb Spain’s tallest bridge.

Lewis Stevenson, from Derby, England, died on Oct. 13, 2024, after falling during an attempt to scale the 630-foot Castilla-La Mancha Bridge near Madrid.

A coroner’s record obtained on Wednesday, Dec. 24, stated that Stevenson died from blunt force head injuries and an uncontrolled descent from height. His death was ruled an accident.

The documents note that Stevenson — described as an “experienced free climber” who had reportedly scaled buildings in New York City and hotel roofs in Mexico — became ill shortly before the fall. Coroner Susan Evans wrote that Stevenson vomited, then asked the friend climbing with him to take the lead because he felt unwell.

According to Derbyshire Live, Stevenson told his friend he felt sick before his body went limp, causing him to fall.

Coroner’s documents state: “as they got to the height of the first cables Lewis asked his friend to take over the lead as he felt ill. He vomited. A few moments later he fell from the bridge and died from the injuries he sustained.”

The record also says Stevenson and his friend were not using safety equipment. They were climbing the bridge’s central mast in the early morning, using the elevator rail.

A previous news release from the Talavera de la Reina mayor’s office said Stevenson was “accompanied by another 24-year-old English man” at the time. In that statement, Macarena Muñoz, a councilor for citizen security, said the pair had come to the area to climb the bridge and create content for social networks.

“As we have been able to find out, they had come to Talavera to climb the bridge and create content for social networks, which has resulted in this unfortunate and sad outcome,” Muñoz said.

She added that climbing the Castilla-La Mancha Bridge is “totally prohibited and which we have reiterated on many occasions cannot be done under any circumstances.”

The bridge opened in 2011 and is among the tallest in Europe, according to the BBC.

In a tribute shared in October 2024, Stevenson’s family said he was “not a social media influencer,” but a “thrill-seeker” who loved photography, travel, and new experiences, according to the BBC.

His mother, Keilia, said the family was “absolutely devastated,” adding: “There will forever be a hole in our hearts and life will not be the same again.”

“Lewis was my boy, my world and my biggest achievement. He continually made me so proud, he was happy and ambitious in life,” she said at the time.

The family also said that while they “supported” Stevenson’s “adventures around the world,” they “didn’t particularly agree” with him “climbing at great heights,” the BBC reported. They added that they understood it was what he loved, with his mother calling his death a “tragic accident.”

Stevenson’s girlfriend, Savannah Parker, previously shared the final messages she received from him.

“We spoke at [11:30 p.m.] and the last thing he said to me was, ‘Good night, I love you,’ ” Parker told The Daily Mail.

“He messaged me at [5:30 a.m.] to say, ‘Good morning’ with three kisses. I didn’t see it until [7:45 a.m.],” she said.

Parker also remembered Stevenson in an emotional Facebook post the day after his death.

“Thank you everyone for your messages and love. If I’ve not replied know that I’ve seen it and appreciate it,” she wrote. “I can’t reply to everyone [I’m] too overwhelmed. anyone in a relationship PLEASE hug your person extra tight for me.”