Race Across The World contestant Sam Gardiner dies aged 24

Race Across The World contestant Sam Gardiner has died astatine the property of 24 successful a car crash, his household has said.

In a statement, his parent Jo - who appeared connected the 2019 bid with him - and his begetter Andrew said: "We are devastated by the nonaccomplishment of our beloved lad Sam successful a unspeakable accident.

"Sam near america acold excessively soon, and whilst words volition ne'er afloat seizure the light, joyousness and vigor helium brought into our lives, we clasp connected to the memories that made him truthful special.

"Sam was adored by his family. As a son, member and nephew, helium was loyal, comic and fiercely protective."

They added that taking portion successful Race Across The World "opened his eyes to the wonderment of escapade and travel".

The connection continued: "He was consenting to spell wherever the way mightiness pb and helium touched everyone helium met connected the road.

"He recovered large happiness moving arsenic a scenery gardener connected the westbound seashore of Scotland. He leaves down a immense spread successful our hearts. We volition miss him endlessly, but we'll besides retrieve him with smiles, gangly tales, and a extent of emotion that volition ne'er fade."

Greater Manchester Police said the car mishap happened connected the A34 successful Gatley, adjacent Cheadle connected Monday night.

A spokesperson for the makers of Race Across The World said: "Everyone who worked with him and so everyone who watched Sam could spot conscionable however precious and transformative the travel was for some him and his mum, Jo.

"Sam embraced the seven-week travel with an energy, emotion and a determination that saw the brace bask adventures crossed Mexico to Argentina making audiences autumn successful emotion with them and their peculiar enslaved arsenic a result."