WASHINGTON COUNTY, Utah, July 30, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — Jonathan Grant Thompson, also known by his YouTube moniker “The King of Random” and followed by 11.6 million viewers, has been identified as the man killed Monday in a paramotor accident in Washington County.
Thompson’s body was recovered Tuesday morning. The Washington County Sheriff’s office released Thompson’s name after obtaining permission from his family.
Thompson was the 321st most popular YouTuber, according to a statement on his website.
Thompson’s Facebook page posted the news of his death:
“It is with great sadness to inform everyone that Grant Thompson passed away last night. Grant had great love and appreciation for his fans. We invite you to share your thoughts for Grant and the channel in the comments. Please do a random act of love or kindness today in honor of The King of Random. Grant’s legacy will live on in the channel and the global community he created.”
A Washington County Sheriff’s statement — which first identified the craft as a paraglider and did not name Thompson — said Thompson’s family members reported him overdue Monday.
“The pilot was reported as leaving the Dixie Springs subdivision near Sand Hollow State Park. The caller reported the pilot was overdue by one hour and they were unable to reach him on his cellular phone.”
Officers with the Hurricane Police Department and the Bureau of Land Management responded to the incident based on where the pilot departed from. The caller was able to provide GPS coordinates for where the the pilot’s phone was at 9 p.m.
“Volunteers with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office Search & Rescue and a Life Flight helicopter were requested to assist in locating the pilot. Dispatchers were able to obtain an updated GPS location of the pilots cell phone. As the helicopter approached the area, they were able to locate the pilot’s body.”
The Life Flight crew landed and confirmed the paramotor operator was deceased. The victim was described by the sheriff’s statement as a 38-year-old Hurricane resident, and said his name is being withheld pending notification of family members.
The paramotor equipment and a video recording device were recovered. Officials are reviewing the video “to determine factors which led to the aircraft crash,” the statement said.
Rip GRANT
you were a great guy by now…….
Why!
RIP Grant you will be greatly missed and I know that all of “The King of Random Team” will miss you too you were such a great guy and I don’t know why this had to happen to you!!