Photo Credit: BBC / Greatee Manchester Police.
Police have confirmed that the driver of a white VW Golf R estate involved in a single vehicle collision on Monday 26 May on the A34 in Gatley (Greater Manchester) has since passed away from his injuries.
The driver, a 24-year-old man, has been named as Sam Gardiner. His family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers. They have asked for privacy at this terrible time.
Police have thanked everyone who shared their appeal and have sent their best wishes to Sam and his family.
His family have released the below tribute to Sam.
Jo and Andrew (Sam’s parents) said:
“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. We will miss him endlessly, but we’ll also remember him with smiles, tall tales, and a depth of love that will never fade”.
Sam was a landscape gardener. He had been working on an isolated estate on the west coast of Scotland and was home in Manchester for a family gathering. Sam rose to public attention when he competed with his mother Jo in Series 2 of the BBC’s “Race Across The World”.
A tribute shared on social media by Race Across The World said:
“We are all deeply saddened to hear the tragic news about Sam, who died this week following a car accident.
“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.”
