In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Sam Gardiner, a beloved former contestant from the BBC show Race Across the World, tragically lost his life in a car accident last week. The 24-year-old was driving on the A34 in Manchester when his vehicle veered off the road, rolling onto its side, as confirmed by Greater Manchester Police.
Sam’s family, shattered by their loss, released a statement expressing their devastation over the untimely death of their “special” son. “We are devastated by the loss of our beloved son Sam in a terrible accident,” they shared. “Sam left us far too soon, and while 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.”
They continued, “He was willing to go wherever the trail might lead, and he touched everyone he met on the road. Sam found great happiness working as a landscape gardener on the west coast of Scotland. He leaves behind a huge hole in our hearts. We will miss him endlessly, but we’ll also remember him with smiles, tall tales, and a depth of love that will never fade.”
The police confirmed the sad news, statin”Sadly, we must confirm that the driver of a white VW Golf R estate involved in a single vehicle collision on Monday, 26 May, has since passed away from his injuries.†They further revealed that Sam suffered serious head injuries and was taken to the hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
The outpouring of grief and fond memories continued as a spokesperson for Race Across the World shared their condolences, stating, “Everyone who worked with him and indeed everyone who watched Sam could see just how precious and transformative the trip was for both him and his mum, Jo.” Sam and Jo embarked on a seven-week journey across Mexico to Argentina, winning the hearts of many with their unconditional bond.
“Since filming, both Sam and Jo have been an integral part of the Race Across the World cast family. On behalf of us all from the BBC, the production team, and the rest of the cast, we would like to extend our deepest condolences to his parents, Andrew and Jo; his brothers, William and Charlie; his step-mum Justine; and his family and friends,†the statement added, reflecting the profound impact Sam had on everyone around him.