Race Across The World star Sam Gardiner’s cause of death has been confirmed.
The 24-year-old, who appeared on the BBC show in 2020 with mum Jo, tragically died last month in a horror car crash in Manchester. He was rushed to Salford Royal Hospital and was declared dead three days after the fatal road accident on May 26.
It has now been revealed that Sam died from a “devastating brain injury” sustained in the crash. An inquest at Stockport Coroners’ Court on Wednesday (June 11) heard that Sam hit a curb on the central reservation of the A34 in Stockport and lost control of the vehicle before crashing into a tree.
Police coroner’s officer Andrew Levett said at the inquest: “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.”
The car rolled and ended up on its side, Greater Manchester Police confirmed. Assistant coroner Christopher Murray adjourned the hearing for a full inquest to be held on October 13.
Sam’s grief-stricken parents Joe and Andrew said they were “devastated” by their son’s passing in an emotional statement. They wrote: “Sam left us far too soon, and while 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.
They continued: “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.
(Image: BBC)
“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 died from the injuries a few days after the crash. A spokesperson from the Greater Manchester Police said: “We sadly must confirm that the driver of a white VW Golf R estate involved in a single vehicle collision on Monday 26 May on the A34 in Gatley has since passed away from his injuries.
“The driver, a 24 year old man, has been identified as Sam Gardiner. His family have been notified and are receiving support from specially trained officers. They have requested privacy during this dreadful time. We’d like to express our gratitude to everyone who shared our appeal and sent their best wishes to Sam and his family.”
A spokesperson for Race Across the World said: “Everyone who worked with him and indeed everyone who watched Sam could see just how valuable and transformative the journey 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.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
