Travel influencer, 24, dead after truck swept into river on dream vacation
Travel influencer, 24, dead after truck swept into river on dream vacation
Yelena MandenbergWed, October 28, 2026 at 5:47 PM UTC
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Laurent, from France, died, along with Noë Lina Luscher, 20, from Switzerland, and Karen Nahomi López Montano, 19, from Nicaragua -Credit:Jam Press (Jam Press)
Emma Marie Laurent, a 24-year-old French influencer, died in an accident in Nicaragua in early October.
Laurent was traveling with Noë Lina Luscher, 20, from Switzerland, and Karen Nahomi López Montano, 19, from Nicaragua. Both women also reportedly died in the incident.
Local television station VOS TV reported that the tragedy happened in the early morning hours of October 9, at about 1:00 a.m., in the community of El Manzano. According to the outlet, the group was riding in a pickup truck, when they decided to have their driver, 32-year-old Mexican national Martin Gerardo Garcia Jiron, try to cross a river ravine. Jiron was the only survivor.
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Authorities said the three women died after the truck was swept away by strong currents. The deaths underscore the risks that come with trying to cross rivers during or after heavy rain, when water levels can rise quickly and the flow can become dangerously unpredictable.
The area is near the municipality of El Viejo in the Chinandega department, in the country’s northwest.
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Authorities said the three women died after the truck was swept away by strong currents -Credit:Jam Press
The Nahualapa River is usually seen as a quiet, gentle waterway. However, during seasonal storms and sudden flash flooding, it can turn lethal. Under typical conditions, it "may not appear threatening," according to the country's weather experts, but its danger level can surge because it reacts rapidly to rainfall and, reportedly, no effective warning systems are in place.
The Latin Post reported that the crossing where the drownings occurred did not have basic safety features. The report said there were no warning signs, no depth markers, and no physical barriers to alert drivers that the water had reached a deadly level.
Laurent built a significant online following and was widely known for documenting her travels -Credit:Jam Press
The Central American rainy season generally runs from May through November, a period when tropical systems can transform small rivers and streams into fast-moving torrents in a matter of hours. A warning advises people to “avoid attempting to ford or cross the river in any vehicle if there is active rainfall or cloud cover in the surrounding highlands.”
Nicaraguan Co-President Rosario Murillo addressed the incident in a government statement that was broadcast on the state-run radio station Canal 4. In the remarks, Murillo shared the government’s condolences and expressed solidarity with the victims’ relatives.
Laurent introduced herself to her audience as their "barefoot BFF, between two suitcases." -Credit:Jam Press
She also urged the public to follow weather alerts and severe weather guidance during the rainy season. Murillo said authorities, along with the tourism institute, plan to strengthen prevention efforts and tighten warning guidelines for hotels going forward.
Laurent built a significant online following and was widely known for documenting her travels. She was described as “A passionate traveler... followed by over 100,000 people on social media.” She also introduced herself to her audience as their "barefoot BFF, between two suitcases." Her content often focused on van trips and various scenic trips.
In what appears to be her final video, posted October 2, Laurent shared a reflective message with her followers: "I think the most beautiful people, inside and out, are those who know how to appreciate the world around them. Those who notice how the sky gently changes color before sunset, who pause for a moment to watch the rain hit the window, who hear a stranger's laughter and smile inwardly."
Source: “AOL Breaking”
