Derby influencer dies after falling from Castilla La Mancha bridge in Spain

His family had reportedly tried to convince him not to climb the bridge, which is Spain's highest

A Derby influencer has died while trying to climb Spain’s highest bridge without any safety equipment. Lewis Stevenson, 26, from Derby, reportedly ignored his family’s warnings against scaling the 630ft-high Castilla La Mancha bridge located in Talavera de la Reina.

His attempt on Sunday to capture an extreme selfie for his social media followers ended in tragedy as he fell from the structure, reports the Mirror.

Stevenson's Instagram profile features numerous photos from dizzying heights atop various tall buildings and structures across the globe, including in New York City.

Tragically, his pursuit of adventure has left his family in mourning. Savannah Parker, Stevenson’s girlfriend, turned to social media to share her profound sorrow, likening the loss to "a nightmare".

The influencer's granddad, Clifford Stevenson, aged 70, said: "We all tried to talk him out of it. We were always trying to talk him out of doing things but that was the way he was."

"He loved doing it, always went out there believing he'd be alright. He did what he did for his own pleasure. He did not get any money for it, he was an adventurer."

Stevenson had cultivated an online following through his bold feats, with many fans expressing their grief over his death. An emotional tribute on Instagram read: "Knowing you has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. And losing you is the greatest sadness of my life. No amount of words on a stupid Instagram post will ever describe how much I miss you."

Tributes have poured in for Lewis, with one friend saying: "You will always be the bravest, most caring and funny person I've ever known. I'm proud of every building, every rooftop, every moment of our time together. My best friend, my brother. Rest easy, we'll meet again one day."

Another friend, posting a photo of Lewis on a New York City skyscraper, wrote: "In the past seven years you introduced me to a new understanding of freedom, which changed my perspective on life massively, giving me guidance on my own creative work always motivating me and inspiring me through your own creative consistency. I'm forever thankful for the opportunities you gave me and the people you introduced me too."

Lewis's girlfriend, Savannah Parker, from Derby, posted on social media: "It's 5am and I haven't eaten or slept. Someone tell me this is a nightmare. I feel violently sick at the fact you're not coming back. Please come back. Answer the phone."

Lewis was known for his "rooftopping" exploits, which he showcased on his Instagram page under the name expedition. His photos included dizzying shots of him atop a New York City skyscraper and resting on a metal beam overlooking the City of London.

Other photos showed him hanging from a structure in Croatia and a hotel roof in Mexico City. However, the tourist was found dead beneath the bridge in Spain on Sunday.

It remains uncertain how high Lewis had climbed the structure before losing his balance, with the bridge's peak standing at a daunting 630ft. The authorities have stated that they are continuing to investigate this tragic incident.