Ken Block, the legendary rally driver and YouTube star, died in a tragic snowmobile accident on January 2, 2023. He was 55 years old and is survived by his wife and three children. His fans and fellow drivers are mourning his loss and paying tribute to his legacy. But what exactly caused his death and how did it happen? Here is what we know so far from the official sources.
The Accident
According to the Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office, Block was riding a snowmobile on a steep slope in the Mill Hollow area of Utah when the snowmobile upended and landed on top of him. He was riding with a group but was alone when the accident occurred. He was pronounced dead at the scene from injuries sustained in the accident.
Block had posted some videos and photos of his snowmobile trip on his Instagram account earlier that day, showing him enjoying the snowy scenery and having fun with his friends. He had captioned one of his posts: “Sketchy and snowy drive with some great snowboard entertainment”.
The Medical Examiner’s Report
The Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office stated that the State Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the official cause of death. However, some sources have reported that Block died from blunt force trauma to the head and chest, which is consistent with being crushed by a heavy object.
Blunt force trauma is a type of injury that occurs when an external force impacts the body, causing damage to the skin, bones, organs, or blood vessels. It can result in fractures, internal bleeding, organ damage, or death. Some common causes of blunt force trauma are car accidents, falls, assaults, or sports injuries.
The Legacy
Block was a visionary, a pioneer, and an icon in the world of motorsports. He co-founded DC Shoes, one of the most popular skateboarding brands, in 1994. He started rallying in 2005 and made his debut in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) in 2007. He competed in 25 WRC events and won five X Games medals in RallyCross between 2006 and 2015.
He also gained fame for his Gymkhana YouTube series, where he performed amazing stunts and drifts in various locations around the world. His videos have amassed hundreds of millions of views and inspired many aspiring drivers. He was also featured in several video games, movies, and TV shows, including Top Gear USA.
His team, Hoonigan Racing Division, announced his death on Instagram and said: “Ken was a visionary, a pioneer and an icon. And most importantly, a father and husband. He will be incredibly missed. Please respect the family’s privacy at this time while they grieve”.
Many celebrities and fans have expressed their shock and sadness over his passing and praised his talent and personality. Some of them include former Formula One driver Jenson Button, Belgian rally driver Thierry Neuville, American rally driver Travis Pastrana, and actor Dwayne Johnson.
Ken Block will be remembered as one of the greatest drivers of all time and a true legend of the sport. His passion, creativity, and charisma will live on through his videos and achievements. Rest in peace, Ken Block. You will be missed.
