Race Across The World star Sam Gardiner’s cause of death has been revealed after he crashed his car into a tree.
The former candidate on the BBC show died aged 24 of a ‘devastating brain injury’ after the fatal collision on the A34 in Stockport, an inquest heard.
Sam, who featured in the hit travel programme’s second series in 2020 with his mum Jo, lost control of the vehicle after it hit a kerb on the central reservation on May 26.
The car suddenly left the road, rolling before it eventually landed on its side, Greater Manchester Police previously said.
He was rushed to Salford Royal Hospital following the crash but died three days later.
Sam, who had been working as a landscape gardener, was the only person in the vehicle at the time of the crash and his family paid tribute in a moving statement last week.
His mother and father, Jo and Andrew Gardiner, admitted they have been ‘overwhelmed’ by all the messages of support from fans.
Jo said: ‘We have been overwhelmed by the tens of thousands of messages of love and support on social media and in comments to press reporting.
Race Across The World star Sam Gardiner (pictured with his mother Jo on the show) died in a car crash at the age of 24. His cause of death has been announced
The reality TV contestant had been driving on the A34 near Manchester when his car suddenly left the road, rolling before it eventually landed on its side
‘We would like to thank the BBC, Studio Lambert and everyone at Race Across The World production, fellow contestants and fans of the show for all their support at this terrible time. It has been very comforting to know that Sam touched so many people.’
The devastated parents have set up a Just Giving page to raise money in Sam’s memory for National FASD, a charity that supports those with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder – which Sam suffered from.
The charity worked to promote awareness about the risks of alcohol consumption during pregnancy and is close to the family’s heart, as it helped Jo and Andrew understand how best to raise Sam.
Jo explained: ‘I have been particularly moved by all the messages that Sam was an inspiration to many who have been impacted by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
‘We adopted Sam and he was diagnosed with FASD. As viewers of Season 2 will recall, this was a big challenge both for Sam and for us as his parents.
‘National FASD helped us on that journey. If some good comes of this tragedy, it will be that FASD is better understood.
Andrew added: ‘When the news broke last week, friends asked how they could help. After some thought, I decided to set up a Just Giving page to raise money for National FASD in memory of Sam.
‘The page is called ‘Sam Gardiner; Super Human’. I set the target at £500 thinking a few friends might be generous enough to make a donation.
Sam featured in the BBC show’s second series in 2020 with his mum and his family paid tribute in a moving statement
During their time on Race Across The World, Sam and Jo failed to complete the challenge as they ran out of money
‘So far its raised 20 times that. It’s very humbling to see the RATW Family rally to this worthy cause’.
Announcing their son’s death in May, dad Andrew joined Jo in delivering the message, saying: ‘We are devastated by the loss of our beloved son Sam in a terrible accident.
‘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.
‘Sam was adored by his family. As a son, brother and nephew, he was loyal, funny and fiercely protective.
‘He did Race Across The World in 2019, which opened his eyes to the wonder of adventure and travel.
‘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.
‘Sam brought warmth, laughter and a smattering of chaos wherever he went. He leaves behind a huge hole in our hearts.
During filming, Sam said: ‘Mum and I are very close – we often think or say the same things’
Sam has previously described appearing on Race Across The World as a ‘life-changing’ experience
‘We will miss him endlessly, but we’ll also remember him with smiles, tall tales, and a depth of love that will never fade.’
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 had been working in Scotland as a landscape gardener but travelled down to Stockport, Greater Manchester to go to a family birthday, according to his uncle Jonny Gray.
During their time on Race Across The World, Sam and Jo aimed to get across South America quicker than their fellow contestants, with a strict budget and no mobile phone.
The pair failed to complete the challenge as they ran out of money, but he described it as a ‘life-changing’ experience.
Sam was rushed to hospital after his crash but died there three days later
The car had suddenly left the road, rolling before it eventually landed on its side, Greater Manchester Police previously said
Following a recent instalment of the latest series of Race Across The World , the show left fans moved with an emotional tribute to Sam (pictured)
During filming, Sam said: ‘Mum and I are very close – we often think or say the same things.
‘She has travelled a lot in her life, so I think it would be fun to do it with her.’
Following a recent instalment of the latest series of Race Across The World, the show left fans moved with an emotional tribute to Sam.
At the end of the episode, a photograph of Sam was shown, alongside the caption, ‘In loving memory of Sam Gardiner 2000 – 2025’.
