‘race across the world’ star sam gardiner dead at 24

Former “Race Across the World” contestant Sam Gardiner has died following a car crash. He was 24. Gardiner was behind the wheel of a white Volkswagen in Manchester, England, on Monday night

when the vehicle left the roadway, overturned, and landed on its side, according to Greater Manchester Police. He was the only passenger in the vehicle, police added. The Brit was

transported to a nearby hospital, where he later died from his injuries on May 29. “His family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers,” police said in a 

statement Sunday. EXPLORE MORE Gardiner’s heartbroken parents, mother Jo and father Andrew, said they were “devastated by the loss” in a statement obtained by The Post. “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,” the family said. Jo and Andrew

described their son as “loyal, funny and fiercely protective,” and said he was “adored” by his family as a son, brother and nephew. In their heartfelt statement, they remembered Gardiner’s

time on “Race Across the World,” the UK reality TV series, saying the experience “opened his eyes to the wonder of adventure and travel.” “He was willing to go wherever the trail might lead

and he touched everyone he met on the road. He found great happiness working as a landscape gardener on the west coast of Scotland,” they went on. “Sam brought warmth, laughter and a

smattering of chaos wherever he went. 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,” they concluded. At the time of his death, Gardiner had been employed as a landscape gardener in Scotland, but was visiting family in Manchester when the accident took

place. Gardiner appeared on Season 2 of the hit BBC series alongside his mother in March 2020. He was 19 at the time. During their time on the show, the mother-son duo traveled across Mexico

and Argentina with no phones. Emon Choudhury, who won the series that year with his nephew Jamiul, took to social media to pay his respects to Gardiner as he remembered their time on the

show. “Sam was pure sunshine in human form. his kindness was a beacon for anyone lucky enough to cross his path,” Choudhury wrote on Instagram alongside several snaps of them together in

previous years. START YOUR DAY WITH ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more. THANKS FOR SIGNING UP! “He made us feel seen, supported, and braver

than we ever thought possible. With every warm smile and encouraging word, he reminded us that life’s greatest treasures are the connections we make and the love we share.” A spokesperson

for the hit BBC show said a private funeral will be held for Gardiner’s family and friends in the coming days. “The family have asked for privacy at this terrible time,” the spokesperson

said, adding that “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.” Gardiner

“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,” the spokesperson said in part. Gardiner is survived by his parents, Jo and Andrew, stepmother Justine, and brothers Charlie and William.