A RACE Across the World star died after losing control of his car in his “appalling conditions”, an inquest heard.
Sam Gardiner, 24, suffered a devastating head injury when his “high-powered” VW Golf R left the road.
Sam Gardiner was killed in a crash while driving to a family party[/caption]
He appeared on Race Across the World with mum Jo[/caption]
An inquest heard how Sam, who competed in the BBC One series alongside his mum Jo, was driving home from work in Scotland as a landscape gardener.
He had been due to attend his aunt’s birthday party when the horror unfolded on the A34 in Stockport on May 26 this year.
The court heard witnesses saw Sam “overtaking and undertaking” in heavy rain before he hit the central reservation and left the road.
Detective Constable Simon Venguedasalon, of Greater Manchester Police‘s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “A lot of the witnesses had slowed down due to the lack of visibility and the standing water on the road.
“His driving was not consistent with the conditions at the time.”
Police Constable Adam Dixon, a forensic collision investigator at GMP, said the road surface was “very wet” due to “bad weather“.
He told the court the tyres on Sam’s car had insufficient tread depth, which was a likely contributing factor to the crash.
Sam was rushed to hospital and placed in an induced coma due to severe head injuries.
He tragically could not be saved and died three days later after suffering a devastating head injury.
Coroner Christopher Morris, who concluded Sam died in a road traffic collision, said he had been “weaving in and out around traffic” in “appalling” weather conditions before he “struck a kerb on the central reservation”.
The coroner added: “Sam was truly a remarkable person who lit up the lives of many…He loved his sport, he loved his cars, and he loved being outdoors.
“He was one of life’s adventurers.”
Broadcast in March 2020, Sam and Jo ventured across Mexico and Argentina as part of the second series of the BBC show.
They were unable to finish the final leg after running out of money.
Jo and Sam’s dad Andrew said they were “devastated” in an emotional tribute.
They added: “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.”
Sam’s parents said his time on the BBC show “opened Sam’s eyes to the wonder of adventure”.
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.”
Sam died from a devastating brain injury[/caption]
Sam and mum Jo took part in the second series of Race Across the World[/caption]
An inquest was held into his death today[/caption]
