Race Across the World star ‘weaving in and out of traffic’ in ‘appalling’ weather before fatal crash

Sam Gardiner died from a 'devastating' brain injury after losing control of his car an inquest into his death has heard

21:49, 13 Oct 2025

Race Across the World star Sam Gardiner died after losing control of his car in "appalling" weather conditions[1] on the A34, an inquest has heard. The 24-year-old sustained fatal head injuries when his high-powered VW Golf R veered off the northbound carriageway near Cheadle on May 26.

During the inquest at Manchester South Coroner's Court[2] today, Monday, it was heard Sam had been driving home after working as a landscape gardener in Scotland, on his way to his auntie's birthday party. Sam, from Gatley, Stockport, appeared on the BBC[3] series alongside his mum, Jo, in 2020.

Paying tribute, Coroner Christopher Morris[4] described Sam as "a truly remarkable person who lit up the lives of many.

He loved sport, cars, and the outdoors. He was one of life's adventurers."

He added he was "caring, generous, with a great spirit and a big heart."

Witnesses told the court that Sam's car was seen "overtaking and undertaking" in heavy rain before it struck the central reservation and left the road.

Detective Constable Simon Venguedasalon, of Greater Manchester Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit, told the inquest: "Several witnesses said that Sam was undertaking and overtaking slow-moving vehicles.

"A lot of the witnesses had slowed down due to the lack of visibility and the standing water on the road.

"His driving was not consistent with the conditions at the time."

He said there were defects or potholes on the road, but that some of the grids were blocked, contributing to the wet road surface. There was also no CCTV or dashcam footage of the incident.

DC Venguedasalon added: "Sam unfortunately wasn't driving to the conditions of the road.

Due to the lack of tread on the tyres he lost control on the carriageway due to speed.

"He unfortunately left the carriageway and the collision then occurred."

Police Constable Adam Dixon, a forensic collision investigator at GMP, told the inquest the road surface was "very wet" due to "bad weather[5]" and that the tyres on Sam's car had insufficient tread depth, which was a likely contributing factor to the crash.

He was unable to make an estimation of the speed Sam was driving on the 50mph road, but Mr Morris concluded he was driving at "significant estimated speed".

Dr Naisbitt, a consultant in intensive care at Salford Royal Hospital, told the court Sam was placed in an induced coma due to severe head injuries. Doctors concluded "he had sustained a devastating head injury in the crash and that there was no realistic prospect of any meaningful recovery".

Sam died in hospital on May 29. His cause of death was ruled a devastating brain injury due to a road traffic crash.

Concluding that Sam had died in a road traffic collision, Mr Morris said he had been "weaving in and out around traffic" in "appalling" weather conditions before he "struck a kerb on the central reservation".

He added that both the 'insufficient' tyre tread depth and his manner of driving were significant factors in his loss of control of the vehicle.

Sam's adopted mum Jo agreed her son was "generous, big-hearted and caring", adding he had a passion for cars.

She said he had "chopped the exhaust off" his VW Golf R to make it "really noisy".

"He had so many friends," she added.

During their run on Race Across the World in 2020 Sam and Jo travelled across South America.

They were unable to compete in the final leg of the race after they ran out of money.

In an emotional tribute after his death Jo and her husband, Andrew, said: "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."

Sam's parents said he was 'adored by his family' and described him as 'loyal, funny and fiercely protective'.

They added his time on the BBC show 'opened Sam's eyes to the wonder of adventure'.

Jo told the Manchester Evening News: "Following the inquest, we want to thank all the witnesses who stopped to help Sam and all the emergency services involved.

"Whilst we are heartbroken over the loss of Sam, the generosity of people towards helping others with FASD is inspiring."

A JustGiving page launched in his memory by his family, in aid of National FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder), has so far raised more than GBP28,500.

References

1. ^ losing control of his car in "appalling" weather conditions (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
2. ^ Manchester South Coroner's Court (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
3. ^ BBC (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
4. ^ Coroner Christopher Morris (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
5. ^ weather (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)