Motorsport legend, businessman, and Gymkhana pioneer Ken Block has been killed at age 55 in a snowmobile accident in Utah.
The legendary rally driver was on holiday with his family and killed after being crushed by his snowmobile, the Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office confirmed.
“On January 2, 2023 at approximately 2:00 p.m., the Wasatch County 911 Center received a call reporting a snowmobile accident in the Mill Hollow area. Search and Rescue, along with law enforcement from Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office, Utah State Parks and the U.S. Forest Service responded. The driver, Kenneth Block, 55-year-old male out of Park City, Utah, was riding a snowmobile on a steep slope when the snowmobile upended, landing on top of him. He was pronounced deceased at the scene from injuries sustained in the accident,” a statement read.
The Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that while Block was riding with a group, he was alone when the accident occurred. The State Medical Examiner’s Office is working to determine the official cause of death.
Watch: 862-HP Subara Wagon Dices With Monster Trucks, A Fighter Jet And 3000-HP El Camino In Gymkhana 2022
Hoonigan Industries, a company that Block founded and become synonymous with in recent years, broke the news in a statement published to social media.
“It’s with our deepest regrets that we can confirm that Ken Block passed away in a snowmobile accident today. 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.”
Ken Block started his rallying career in 2005 and competed in multiple seasons of the Rally America National Championship. He garnered worldwide attention in 2008 when his video, Gymkhana Practice, was shared to YouTube and attracted tens of millions of views. Block’s profile grew further when he made an appearance on Top Gear and in 2010, he entered the World Rally Championship.
Between 2008 and 2018, Block starred in ten iterations of the main Gymkhana video series, as well as two Climbkhana specials and the most recent addition to the series, Electrikhana, where he drove the custom Audi S1 Hoonitron in Las Vegas.
Block leaves behind a wife, two daughters, and one son.
