Ken Block: Rally driver and YouTube star dies in snowmobile accident | US news

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Professional rally driver Ken Block, who later became an internet sensation with his daring moves behind the wheel, has died after a snowmobile accident, the Hoonigan Racing Team said on Monday.

“It is with our deepest regret that we can confirm the death of Ken Block in a snowmobile accident today,” Hoonigan said in a statement on Instagram.

“Ken was a visionary, pioneer and icon. Most importantly, he was a father and husband. We will miss him incredibly.”

He was 55 years old.

The accident occurred in Wasatch County, Utah, and the sheriff’s office said Block was riding down a steep slope when his snowmobile flipped and fell on top of him.

“He was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident from injuries sustained in the accident,” they said in a statement, adding that he was riding in a group but was alone when the accident occurred.

Having started his rally career in 2005, Block was named Rookie of the Year in the Rally America Championship. He competed in the World Rally Championship and won several rally medals at the X Games.

He also appeared in two episodes of Top Gear in 2016.

The American company co-founded sportswear company DC Shoes and produced the Gymkhana video series, which featured him driving on dangerous tracks and obstacle courses. The series has garnered millions of views on YouTube.

Another video of his was posted to YouTube two weeks ago, going behind the scenes of the 2022 American Rally Association season and was titled “Go fast risk every thang.”

The video description read the headline: “This is the motto we often have to use when rally racing. Sometimes it leads to champagne celebrations, sometimes to wrecking cars.”

In his recent Instagram posts, he posted pictures of snowmobiles covered in snow.

“This is what some mornings look like on my farm in Utah this time of year—freshly covered in snow!” Block said in the caption.

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