‘Race Throughout the World’ Star Sam Gardiner, 24, Useless After Automobile Crash

Sam Gardiner, a former Race Throughout the World contestant, has died following a automotive crash. He was 24. 

Gardiner was driving a white Volkswagen in Manchester, England, on Monday, Could 26, at round 9:50 p.m. native time when the automotive veered off the street and “rolled earlier than touchdown on its facet,” the Better Manchester Police stated in a statement. 

Gardiner was transported to the hospital, the place he succumbed to life-threatening accidents on Thursday, Could 29.

He was the one passenger of the car, per the police.

“His household have been knowledgeable and are being supported by specifically skilled officers,” police stated in a separate statement.

Gardiner’s dad and mom, Jo and Andrew, wrote that they’re “devastated” in a press release obtained by PEOPLE. 

“Sam left us far too quickly, and while phrases won’t ever totally seize the sunshine, pleasure and vitality he introduced into our lives, we maintain on to the recollections that made him so particular,” they stated. “Sam was adored by his household. As a son, brother and nephew, he was loyal, humorous and fiercely protecting.”

The grieving dad and mom remembered his time on the BBC actuality present, saying it “opened his eyes to the surprise of journey and journey.”

They continued, “He was prepared to go wherever the path may lead and he touched everybody he met on the street. He discovered nice happiness working as a panorama gardener on the west coast of Scotland.”

Jo and Andrew added: “Sam introduced heat, laughter and a smattering of chaos wherever he went. He leaves behind an enormous gap in our hearts. We’ll miss him endlessly, however we’ll additionally bear in mind him with smiles, tall tales, and a depth of affection that may by no means fade.”

Gardiner had been working as a panorama gardener in Scotland, however was visiting his household in Manchester on the time of his dying. 

He starred in season 2 of Race Throughout the World alongside his mom.

“There will probably be a non-public funeral for household and buddies sooner or later. The household have requested for privateness at this horrible time,” a spokesperson for Race Throughout the World stated in a press release. 

The spokesperson paid tribute to Gardiner, writing, “We’re all deeply saddened to listen to the tragic information about Sam. Everybody who labored with him, and certainly everybody who watched Sam, may see simply how valuable and transformative the journey was for each him and his mum Jo.”

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Gardiner “embraced the seven-week journey with an vitality, love and a dedication that noticed the pair get pleasure from adventures throughout Mexico to Argentina, making audiences fall in love with them and their particular bond consequently,” the spokesperson stated.

The tribute continued: “Since filming, each Sam and Jo have been an integral a part of the Race Throughout the World forged household and on behalf of us all from the BBC, manufacturing and the remainder of the forged, we want to prolong our deepest condolences to his dad and mom, Andrew and Jo; his brothers, William and Charlie; his step mum Justine; his household and buddies.”

The present featured Gardiner — who was 19 on the time — and his mom as they traveled throughout South America with no telephones. 

Whereas beforehand chatting with the BBC forward of participating within the present, Jo stated she needed to show her son, who had ADHD, how one can journey earlier than he launched into adventures of his personal. 

“My son and I get on so properly, and he’s determined to journey, however I’m nervous of him going off on his personal. I would like the journey to assist him develop, and see how the world works,” she stated. “To observe him expertise this will probably be implausible. He’s come such a good distance, and I might like to see him obtain his goals.”

Gardiner additionally shared his pleasure about spending high quality time along with his mother. “Mum and I are very shut — we regularly suppose or say the identical issues. She has traveled quite a bit in her life, so I feel it could be enjoyable to do it together with her. She at all times appears to get issues proper, she will communicate to individuals and sort things. She’s superb,” he stated on the time.

Gardiner is survived by his dad and mom, stepmother Justine, and brothers Charlie and William.