The family of a 24-year-old who competed in the Race Across the World have paid tribute to him after he died in a car crash.
Sam Gardiner competed in the global travel competition’s second series with his mother, who said she was devastated by his death.
He had been driving on the A34, in Gatley, Stockport, when his car left the road and rolled before landing on its side, leaving him with serious head injuries.
He was taken to hospital, but sadly died three days later, on 29 May, Greater Manchester Police said.
In a tribute to the landscape gardener, who worked in West Scotland, his mother Jo, who appeared with him in the BBC travel competition in 2019, and his father Andrew, said he was “loyal, funny and fiercely protective”.
“We are devastated by the loss of our beloved son Sam in a terrible accident,” they said.
“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.
“He did Race Across The World in 2019, which 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.
“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.”
Sam had been in Greater Manchester visiting his parents for a family event when the accident happened near Cheadle on Monday 26 May.
A spokesperson for the makers of Race Across The World said: “We are all deeply saddened to hear the tragic news about Sam.
“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.”
