Race Across the World contestant Sam Gardiner has passed away at the age of 24, his family revealed.
The former Race Across the World contestant first lit up our screens in 2020 when he entered the travel show with his mother.
But who exactly was Sam Gardiner and what happened to him? Here’s everything we know.
Who was Sam Gardiner?
Gardiner was a landscape gardener.
The 24-year-old is known for appearing in the second series of Race Across the World with his mother Jo, which aired in 2020. The pair travelled across South America.
⭐Meet the teams⭐
— Race Across The World (@RATW_official) March 2, 2020
Jo & Sam, mother and son from Manchester!
Brand new series of #RaceAcrossTheWorld starts this SUNDAY, 8pm @BBCTwo pic.twitter.com/AGNti2O667
Even though they ran out of money and couldn't compete in the last leg, Gardiner called it a “life-changing” event, telling his mum: “How many 19-year-olds can say they've done this and travelled with their mum?”.
What happened to him
Gardiner has died in a car accident.
The car accident occurred on Monday night on the A34 in Gatley, close to Cheadle, according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP). They stated he passed away on Thursday due to his injuries.
A spokesperson said: “Emergency services attended the scene after a vehicle was reported to have left the carriageway and rolled before landing on its side.
They further stated that there were no other vehicles involved and that the 24-year-old was the only person in his car.
According to his uncle, Gardiner had been working on Scotland's west coast recently and had been to Stockport in Greater Manchester earlier this week to attend a family birthday celebration.
His father Andrew and mother Jo, who co-starred with him in the 2020 series, released the following statement: “We are devastated by the loss of our beloved son Sam in a terrible accident.
“Sam left us far too soon, and whilst words will never fully capture the light, joy and energy he brought into our lives, we hold on to the memories that made him so special.
“Sam was adored by his family. As a son, brother and nephew, he was loyal, funny and fiercely protective.”
A spokesperson for the makers of Race Across The World added: “We are all deeply saddened to hear the tragic news about Sam.
“Sam embraced the seven-week trip with an energy, love and a determination that saw the pair enjoy adventures across Mexico to Argentina, making audiences fall in love with them and their special bond as a result.”
