Ken Block, rally car driver and action sports star, has died in a snowmobile accident in Utah at the age of 55.
Block was driving up a steep slope around 2 p.m. Monday when the snowmobile he was riding overturned and landed on him, the Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office said.
Block was driving with a group at the time of the incident, but alone. He was pronounced dead at the scene from injuries sustained in the accident.
Last week Block had been performing stunts on a new and more powerful snowmobile in Idaho. He even admitted how surprised he was by his power.
“It was my first day on my new ’23 Ski-Doo Summit X Turbo and this thing snaps! Lots of power at high altitudes and wheelies all day long! Epic early season powder and a fantastic first day. Wheelies, deep powder turns and lots of learning on this new sled – good times!
Ken Block, 55, champion rally driver and action sports star, tragically died in a snowmobile accident in Wasatch County, Utah
Block was driving up that steep slope around 2 p.m. Monday when the snowmobile he was riding overturned and landed on top of him. The Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office released this photo of the scene of the accident
Block had been snowmobiling in Utah and even shared photos and videos to Instagram earlier in the day, including one in which he shared his excitement about being about to ride one of the snowmobiles
Last week, Block posted photos of himself on a new, powerful Ski-Doo snowmobile
Block was a well-known figure in the rally auto racing community and had also competed in motocross, skateboard, and snowboard races
Block had been snowmobiling in Utah and even shared photos and videos to Instagram earlier in the day, including one in which he shared his excitement about being about to ride one of the snowmobiles.
In an Instagram Story Monday, he posted, “Hell yeah!” as he approached a line of snowmobiles parked ready to drive.
On Monday, hours before his death, he wrote, “We’ve had snow this week in Park City, Utah and more is forecast for the weekend and we couldn’t make it to the ranch without the @SkiDoo sleds and @KubotaUSA Machines to clear the way! I can’t wait to see how much more powder will pile up over the next few days.’
Block was widely known as a rally car racing champion, having competed and achieved numerous podium finishes since the mid-2000s.
Rally driver Ken Block posts photos of himself snowmobiling in Idaho on December 23
“Epic powder early in the season and a fantastic first day on my new 23 gauge Ski-Doo Summit X Turbo. Wheelies, deep powder turns and lots of learning on this new sled – good times!’ block wrote
“It was my first day on my new ’23 Ski-Doo Summit X Turbo, and this thing snaps!” Block wrote
Block posted a video of him performing stunts on the mighty snowmobile
For part of the video block, the machine was practically hovering in the air
The fast-paced video saw Block drive through the snow at quite some speed
At one point, Block drove so fast that the rest of the snowmobile couldn’t be seen
But in addition to his success in rally car racing, where he finished on the podium dozens of times, Block was an action sports enthusiast and also competed in motocross, skateboarding, UTV, competitive snowboarding and snowmobile racing.
He was a well-known figure on social media with 7.5 million followers on his Instagram and 2 million subscribers to his YouTube channel.
He founded DC Shoes in 1994 with business partner Damon Way.
His family was also with him in Utah at the time of the accident, having spent the vacation together in a mountain cabin.
His team, Hoonigan, released a statement expressing their sadness.
“Ken was a visionary, a pioneer and an icon. And above all father and husband. He will be missed beyond belief.’
Block earned 16 wins at 60 Rally America events from 2005-2014 and won five X Games medals.
Block was a well-known figure in the rally auto racing community and had also competed in motocross, skateboard, and snowboard races
Block was one of the few Americans to score points in the World Rally Championship
He is also one of the few Americans to have scored points in the World Rally Championship.
While his achievements in motorsports contributed to his fame, his social media presence helped him become a household name.
His Gymkhana video series, which includes popular motorsport videos, only added to his fame.
In the fall, Block signed a deal with Audi to promote the company’s electric vehicles.
Block is survived by his wife Lucy and three children, including his 16-year-old daughter Lia, who is also a driver and competed for her father’s Hoonigan Racing team since she was 11.
Block was also a popular social media influencer and is survived by his wife Lucy and three children, including his 16-year-old daughter Lia, who is also a driver
His wife posted a photo of her husband’s helmet, which he was wearing when he died