BBC Race Across the World star’s cause of death confirmed following death aged 24
An inquest has revealed that Race Across The World star Sam Gardiner died from a “devastating brain injury” following a car crash on the A34 in Stockport.
The 24-year-old, who appeared on the BBC programme with his mother Jo in 2020, lost control of his vehicle after hitting a kerb on the central reservation near Cheadle on May 26.
Police coroner’s officer Andrew Levett told the opening at Stockport coroner’s court that the landscape gardener from Gatley died from injuries sustained in the road traffic collision.
Gardiner was taken to Salford Royal Hospital, where he died three days later on May 29.
Assistant coroner Christopher Murray adjourned the hearing for a full inquest to be held on October 13.
The inquest heard that at approximately 9.49pm on May 26, Gardiner was travelling northbound on the A34 towards Manchester when his white Volkswagen Golf R estate collided with the kerb on the central reservation.
“He lost control of his vehicle before striking a tree and coming to a rest,” Levett told the court.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed the car rolled and ended up on its side following the collision.
Gardiner was the sole occupant of the vehicle at the time of the crash.
His uncle revealed in a statement that the 24-year-old had been working as a landscape gardener in Scotland and was travelling to Stockport for a family birthday celebration when the accident occurred.
Gardiner and his mother Jo competed in the 2020 series of the BBC show, travelling across South America from Mexico to Argentina.
The pair were unable to complete the final leg of the race after exhausting their travel budget, ultimately finishing in fourth place.
Gardiner later described his time on Race Across The World as a “life-changing” experience that “opened his eyes to the wonder of adventure and travel,” according to his parents’ statement.
A BBC representative 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.”
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The show documented their seven-week journey across the continent.
Gardiner’s parents Jo and Andrew said they were “devastated” by their son’s death, describing him as someone who was “adored by his family” and “loyal, funny and fiercely protective”.
“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 said in a statement.
The couple added that their son “brought warmth, laughter and a smattering of chaos wherever he went” and that he “leaves behind a huge hole in our hearts”.
A JustGiving page launched in Gardiner’s memory has raised over £19,000 for National FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder).