Race Across the World star Sam Gardiner died from a ‘devastating brain injury’ sustained in a car crash, an inquest has heard.
The 24-year-old appeared on the BBC show with his mum Jo in the series which aired in March 2020. The mother-son duo were seen travelling across Mexico and Argentina for the cross-country challenge, before coming fourth.
Gardiner was driving a white Volkswagen Golf R estate when it came off the road and rolled on May 26.
The inquest into Gardiner’s death has now heard that he lost control of his car after hitting a curb on the A34 in in Gatley, near Cheadle.
Gardiner was taken to Salford Royal Hospital, where he died three days later, the hearing at Stockport Coroners’ Court was told.
The police coroner’s officer Andrew Levett told the inquest opening that Gardiner had died of a ‘devastating brain injury’ from the crash, the Manchester Evening News reports.
Levett added: ‘At approximately 9.49pm on Monday, May 26, Sam Gardiner was travelling on the A34 northbound heading towards Manchester when his vehicle collided with the curb on the central reservation.
‘He lost control of his vehicle before striking a tree and coming to a rest.’
Gardiner, who was a landscape gardener, had been working on an isolated estate on the west coast of Scotland and was home in Manchester for a family gathering.
The full inquest will be held on October 13.
In a statement, his parents, Jo and Andrew, said they are ‘devastated’ by the loss of Sam.
Their statement continued: ‘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.’
The show paid tribute to him in a recent episode, while his loved ones have said they are ‘overwhelmed’ by the support they’ve received.
A JustGiving page launched in his memory, in aid of National FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder), has so far raised nearly £20,000.
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