Tragic snowmobile accident claims life of Top Gear star Ken Block

The past January 3rd, the professional rally and stunt driver Ken Block’s racing team announced the star had passed away at the age of 55 due to a devastating snowmobile accident. At the same time, the crew posted a few words in honor of the Top Gear star: “Ken was a visionary, a pioneer and an icon. And most importantly, a father and husband. He will be incredibly missed.”

Furthermore, the team asks the fans to respect the family’s privacy while they grieve. “He was pronounced deceased at the scene from injuries sustained in the accident,” they said in a statement. 

Tributes to the beloved star

By the moment, a lot of friends and fans have left their condolences and messages in which they remember the artist with great affection and admiration. Hence, the former Top Gear presenter James May was among the famous faces paying tribute to the pro driver on social media, alongside the official Top Gear Twitter page which described Block as an “all-round hero”.

On the other hand, the president of Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), Mohammed Ben Sulayem, noted how shocking and dismaying the event was for him: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my friend Ken Block. An inspiration for us all and a true gentleman of our sport. The @FIA’s thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this difficult time. RIP @kblock43.”

However, not only renown people were posting beautiful memories and words of encouragement as many fans expressed themselves saying their last goodbye to Block: “The world has lost another legend… Thank you Ken Block for being a true visionary inspiration to automotive enthusiasts around the world.”

Ken latest’s post

Sadly, yesterday Ken tweeted a comment for his daughter’s motoring online TV show. Apparently, he was very excited  to see Lia (her daughter) driving her Audi Ur Quattro ‘85 after having bought and rebuilt it.

Additionally, not long before his death, he posted pictures of his snowmobiles at his Utah ranch on Instagram, Block said: “This is how some mornings at my ranch in Utah look this time of year – freshly coated with snow!”

Last week…

In the same way, last week, Block had been performing stunts in Idaho on a new and more powerful snowmobile. He even admitted how its power had taken him by surprise.

According to reports, the rally star had said: “It was my first day on my new ’23 Ski-Doo Summit X Turbo, and this thing rips! Lots of power up at high elevations, and wheelies all day! Epic early season powder, and an amazing first day. Wheelies, deep pow turns, and a lot of learning on this new sled – good times!”

Lastly, it was known that Block’s family, which consists of his wife Lucy and three children, including his 16-year-old daughter Lia, were with him in Utah at the time of the accident and fortunately survived.

More about Ken Block

He became one of the most famous rally drivers in the world after he started competing in 2005, and became well-known in the UK after appearing on two episodes of Top Gear.

In the first, he starred alongside James May as ‘Captain Slow’ partnered with him in his Subaru for a rally stage around Inyokern Airport in California.

And in the second he was challenged by Jeremy Clarkson to drive a three-wheeled Reliant Robin around the test track – but he rolled it at the first corner and escaped unharmed.