Sam Gardiner, a former contestant on the reality TV show “Race Across the World,” tragically lost his life in a car accident at the age of 24. Gardiner was driving a white Volkswagen in Manchester, England, when the car veered off the road, flipped over, and landed on its side, as reported by the Greater Manchester Police. Gardiner was the sole occupant of the vehicle at the time of the accident.
Following the accident, Gardiner was rushed to a nearby hospital. Despite the best efforts of the medical team, he succumbed to his injuries on May 29. The Greater Manchester Police have confirmed that Gardiner’s family has been notified and is receiving support from specially trained officers.
Gardiner’s parents, Jo and Andrew, expressed their profound grief over their son’s untimely passing. In a statement, they described their son as a source of “light, joy, and energy,” and said they would cherish the memories of him. They remembered him as a “loyal, funny, and fiercely protective” individual who was deeply loved by his family.
Gardiner’s parents also reflected on his time on “Race Across the World,” a popular UK reality TV series. They noted that the experience had sparked his love for adventure and travel. Gardiner had a knack for connecting with people he met during his travels and found joy in his work as a landscape gardener on Scotland’s west coast.
Gardiner had participated in the second season of “Race Across the World” with his mother in March 2020, when he was 19. The mother-son duo had an adventurous journey across Mexico and Argentina without the use of phones.
Emon Choudhury, the winner of the series that year, paid tribute to Gardiner on social media. He described Gardiner as a beacon of kindness and a source of encouragement for those fortunate enough to have crossed paths with him.
At the time of his death, Gardiner was working as a landscape gardener in Scotland. He was visiting his family in Manchester when the tragic accident occurred. A private funeral service will be held for Gardiner in the coming days, as per a spokesperson for the BBC show. The family has requested privacy during this difficult time.
Gardiner is survived by his parents, Jo and Andrew, his stepmother Justine, and his brothers Charlie and William.