‘Race Across the World’ Contestant Dead in Car Crash

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Reality TV contestant Sam Gardiner, who as a teenager competed opposite his mother on Race Across the World, has died after a single-car accident. He was 24.

On May 26, Gardiner was driving by himself through Manchester, England, when the white Volkswagen in which he was traveling careened off the road and toppled over, according to a statement from the Greater Manchester Police. Gardiner was taken to a local hospital, where he later died of his injuries. “His family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers,” the statement continued. “They have asked for privacy at this terrible time.”

Gardiner gained worldwide recognition when he competed in the 2019 season of Race Across the World alongside his mother, Jo.

“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,” Jo and Gardiner’s father, Andrew, wrote in a statement released by the Greater Manchester Police. “As a son, brother and nephew, he was loyal, funny and fiercely protective,” they wrote, adding that he was “adored by his family.” They said his experience on Race Across the World “opened his eyes to the wonder of adventure and travel” and that he “touched everyone he met on the road.”

“Sam brought warmth, laughter and a smattering of chaos wherever he went,” Jo and Andrew’s statement concluded. “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.”

In a statement shared through the BBC, a spokesperson for Race Across the World shared their condolences on behalf of the series and shared that there would be a private funeral service held for Gardiner at a later date. “We are all deeply saddened to hear the tragic news about Sam,” the statement said. “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.”

‘Race Across the World’ Contestant Dead in Car Crash first appeared on Men’s Journal on Jun 2, 2025