Sam Gardiner as seen in the second season of Race Across The WorldTributes are being paid following the death of former Race Across The World contestant Sam Gardiner at the age of 24.On Monday night (26 May), Sam was involved in a car accident while driving alone on the A34, near Manchester.He was subsequently taken to hospital, where he died from his injuries three days later.In a statement, his mother, Jo – with whom he competed on the second season of the BBC reality shiw, which aired in 2020 – and his father, Andrew, said: “We are devastated by the loss of our beloved son Sam in a terrible accident.“Sam left us far too soon, and whilst words will never fully capture the light, joy and energy he brought into our lives, we hold on to the memories that made him so special.”They continued: “Sam was adored by his family. As a son, brother and nephew, he was loyal, funny and fiercely protective.”&l