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RIP Jon McMurray (1984-2018)
Professional skier, musician and legendary stuntman Jon McMurray passed away on Saturday, October 20 in a wing-walking accident in British Columbia, Canada. He was 34 years old.
A ski-movie staple in the early to mid-2000s, McMurray—alternately known as McFly, McFee and half a dozen other nicknames—made a name for himself with outrageous stunts both off and on skis. He filmed several standout parts for ski production companies like Matchstick Productions, Poor Boyz and Level 1 before transitioning into a musical career frontlining the Canadian rock-rap act Loose Canon Playaz. At the time of his death, McMurray was living in Los Angeles and working as a musician under the name Jon James.
Among many other outrageous acts, McMurray was credited with landing the world´s first inverted rail transfer on skis in 2009.
According to media reports, McMurray was filming a wing-walking stunt for a music video when the small plane being used went into an uncontrolled spiral. McMurray fell from the wing and was unable to pull his parachute in time. His body was found in a field near the town of Westwold, BC. The pilot was able to right the plane and land safely.
No stranger to living on the edge, McMurray had been involved in many risky stunts before. Multiple injuries incurred while skiing, including a broken back, had eventually led McMurray to focus on his musical ambitions, where he continued to make stuntsmanship a key feature of his music videos.
“He planned for everything. It should have been straightforward. It’s one of those things. We’re not really sure what happened,” McMurray’s longtime friend Rory Bushfield told Canada’s Globe & Mail. “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.”
Tributes to McMurray have been pouring in online as the ski community mourns the loss of yet another member. Jon James McMurray, you’ll be missed.
McMurray´s segment in the Loose Canon Playaz film "Without a Cause" (2007)
