A former Race Across the World contestant has tragically died in a car crash, his family has confirmed.
Sam Gardiner appeared on the 2019 edition of the programme alongside his mother Jo, which saw pairs travel between Mexico and Argentina.
Jo, alongside Sam’s father Andrew, issued a statement confirming the news.
“We are devastated by the loss of our beloved son Sam in a terrible accident,” the statement reads, per Sky News.
“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.”
The statement continued that Sam’s appearance on the popular BBC programme made him realise how much he enjoyed travelling.
The pair were unable to complete the race after running out of money, but at the time, Sam described the experience as “life-changing”.
A spokesperson for Race Across The World wrote: “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 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.
"Since filming, both Sam and Jo have been an integral part of the Race Across the World cast family and on behalf of us all from the BBC, production 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; his family and friends."
Sam, who was working as a landscape gardener in Scotland, had travelled down to Stockport, Greater Manchester, to celebrate a family birthday, according to the BBC.
The Greater Manchester Police confirmed Sam was the only person in the car and that no other vehicles were involved.
Kimberley Bond is a Multiplatform Writer for Harper’s Bazaar, focusing on the arts, culture, careers and lifestyle. She previously worked as a Features Writer for Cosmopolitan UK, and has bylines at The Telegraph, The Independent and British Vogue among countless others.
