Ken Block, the renowned motorsport icon, tragically lost his life in a snowmobile mishap at the age of 55, just moments after posting a picture of his thrilling escapades in Utah.
He was declared deceased at the location. Block was operating a snowmobile upwards on a steep incline in Wasatch County when the vehicle overturned and came to rest on him. As per a statement published by the regional sheriff’s department on Facebook.
The sheriff of the office was alone at the time of the crash. However, moments before he passed away, he had been riding with a group called Block.
The rally driver and YouTuber’s death was confirmed in an Instagram post on Monday by executives at his clothing label Hoonigan Industries.
We deeply regret to confirm that Ken Block passed away in a snowmobile accident today, as stated on the shared statement on social media platforms.
He will be incredibly missed, the statement said. Most importantly, Ken was a husband and father, and an icon and pioneer, a visionary.
He explained how they maintain his property and keep it in safe surroundings, sharing photographs of a trio of vehicles covered in dense snow before the sudden passing of Block.
Luckily, we have the Mavericks @CanAm sleds and Ski-doo to help us dig out and maintain the property, as we look at this freshly coated snow in Utah on my ranch during some mornings of this time of year!
This is how mornings look at my ranch in Utah during the year when we are lucky enough to have freshly coated snow! We maintain the property and dig out snow using machinery such as Kubota, Defender, and Mavericks CanAm (one of which is on tracks!).
— Ken Block (@kblock43) December 29, 2022
“It’s becoming quite intense out there.” The statement that was displayed indicated that the voice heard was from a camera that was not working properly, as it showed the vehicles at work before Block’s final post on TikTok, where he shared his encounter with death.
Over the following days, we will have to wait and see how much additional snow accumulates. In a caption accompanying a photo, Block wrote that without the machinery and Ski-Doos from @kubotatractorcorporation, we wouldn’t be able to clear the way and make it out to the ranch. It has been snowing heavily in City Park, Utah this week, and the forecast predicts even more snow for the weekend.
@kblock43 We can’t wait to see how much more powder stacks up over the next few days! We wouldn’t be able to make it out to the ranch without the machinery from @kubotatractorcorporation and Ski-Doos, and it’s been snow dumping this week in Park City, Utah with a forecast for even more snow this weekend.
♬ original sound – Ken Block
The video has been watched over 4 million times in the hours since Block’s passing was announced.
On December 22, Block shared a TikTok video where he can be seen riding through powdery snow on one of his vehicles.
Tony Jenkins, a dear friend of mine and a skilled Ski-doo professional rider, graciously invited us to Island Park, Idaho. Thanks to him, we had the incredible opportunity to experience the thrill of shredding through some exceptional early-season powder last week,” he expressed. “This machine is absolutely impressive! It possesses abundant power even at high altitudes, and it effortlessly performs wheelies throughout the day! It was an exhilarating experience for me as it marked the initial use of my new ’23 Ski-Doo Summit X Turbo!”
Block, who co-established the skate-apparel label DC Shoes, had been a competitive rally racer since 2005.
He also achieved podium finishes at the World Championship Rallycross. He went on to scoop medals in rallycross at the X Games and was named America’s Rally Rookie of the Year in his inaugural season.
Throughout his professional journey, he also participated in various adrenaline-fueled activities, such as snowboarding, motocross, and skateboarding.
The sportsman has achieved immense popularity on his YouTube channel where he has shared multiple videos of himself performing daring stunts in a number of different vehicles. He has almost 2 million subscribers on his channel.
Jenson Button, the British former Formula One world champion, honored Block in a Twitter post on Monday, referring to him as a true visionary.
In disbelief at the death of Ken Block.
Such a talent that did so much for our sport. He was a true visionary with his own unique style & infectious smile.
Our sport lost one of the best today but more importantly a great man.
Sending love & hugs to the Block family 💙 #ripKen. pic.twitter.com/6HNhfSfc3R
— Jenson Button (@JensonButton) January 3, 2023
Button expressed his admiration for the remarkable abilities of Ken Block, who made significant contributions to our sport. He was an authentic pioneer with his distinct approach and contagious smile. I am deeply saddened by the news of Ken Block’s death.
“Our sport lost one of the best today but more importantly a great man. Sending love & hugs to the Block family.”.
In a statement shared on Facebook soon after his passing, the American Rally Association described the sports personality as a “prominent impact.”
“He touched everything, including the rallying of the global world, and his influence was a massive. We are gutted to hear the news of the passing of rally icon Ken Block.”
Our prayers and thoughts go out to everyone at Hoonigan and the Block family, as they will forever miss him and his invaluable stewardship within ARA during these past few years.