American motorsport legend and YouTube star Ken Block has died in a snowmobile accident in Utah at the age of 55.
A competitive rally driver in series such as Rally America and Global Rallycross, he earned wide renown later in life for his “Gymkhana” video series on YouTube.
Block also co-founded the skate-wear clothing brand DC Shoes.
Hoonigan Industries, another clothing company he owned, confirmed its founder’s passing in a statement on Instagram on Monday.
“Ken was a visionary, a pioneer and an icon. And most importantly, a father and husband. He will be incredibly missed.”
Block was riding a snowmobile up a steep slope in Wasatch County, Utah, when the vehicle upended, landing on top of him, the local sheriff’s office wrote on Facebook.
He was pronounced dead at the scene from the injuries he sustained.
The sheriff’s office said that Block had been riding with a group but was alone when the crash occurred.
The American Rally Association said it was “gutted” at the news of Block’s passing.
“He was a massive influence on everything he touched, including the global world of rallying,” it said in a statement on Facebook.
Fellow racers also paid tribute to Block, with former British Formula One world champion Jenson Button calling him “a talent that did so much for our sport”.
