Internet and rally star dies in tragic accident

Ken Block was idolized by his fans for his daring stunts. The racing driver has now passed away at the age of 55 after a tragic accident involving a snowmobile. "We deeply regret that Ken Block passed away today in a snowmobile accident," his team Hoonigan Racing said in a statement on Instagram. "Ken was a visionary, a pioneer and an icon. And above all a father and husband. He will be missed beyond belief.” Block leaves behind his wife Lucy and three children.

The accident happened in Wasatch County in northern Utah. According to police, Block was probably driving down a steep slope when the snowmobile overturned and landed on him. "He succumbed to his injuries at the scene of the accident," the statement said. Although Block was traveling in a group, he was driving alone when the accident happened.

The racing scene was dismayed by the death. "I'm in shock. What a fabulous talent - whether on asphalt, gravel, drifts or jumps or stunts. Ken was a visionary with a style all his own and an infectious laugh. The sport has lost one of its best, but above all a great man,” wrote former Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button on social media.

Block (7.6 million followers on Instagram, almost two million subscribers on YouTube) was considered a revolutionary in the rally and drift scene. He started his rallying career in 2005 and was voted Rookie of the Year in his first year, competed in the World Rally Championship and won several competitions. At the X-Games he won several medals in rally cross.

He later became an internet celebrity as a skilful driver, videos of his trips with spectacular drifts reached hundreds of millions of clicks.