Pro rally driver Ken Block killed Utah snowmobile accident weeks after trying new powerful machine

>

Champion rally car driver and action sports star Ken Block has died at the age of 55 in a snowmobile accident in Utah.

Block was traveling down a steep grade around 2 p.m. Monday when the snowmobile he was riding flipped over and landed on top of him, the Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office said.

Block was traveling with a group but alone at the time of the incident. He was pronounced dead at the scene after the injuries he sustained in the accident.

Last week, Block had been performing stunts in Idaho on a new, more powerful snowmobile. He even admitted how his power had taken him by surprise.

“It was my first day on my new ’23 Ski-Doo Summit X Turbo, and this thing breaks! Lots of power at high altitude and wheelies all day! Epic early season fuck and amazing first day. Wheelie, deep turns and lots of learning on this new sled – good times!

Champion rally car driver and action sports star Ken Block, 55, tragically died in a snowmobile accident in Wasatch County, Utah

Champion rally car driver and action sports star Ken Block, 55, tragically died in a snowmobile accident in Wasatch County, Utah

Block had been climbing this steep incline around 2 p.m. Monday when the snowmobile he was riding flipped over and landed on top of him.  The Wasatch County Sheriff's Office released this photo of the crash site

Block had been climbing this steep incline around 2 p.m. Monday when the snowmobile he was riding flipped over and landed on top of him.  The Wasatch County Sheriff's Office released this photo of the crash site

Block had been climbing this steep incline around 2 p.m. Monday when the snowmobile he was riding flipped over and landed on top of him. The Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office released this photo of the crash site

Block had been snowmobiling in Utah and had even shared photos and videos on Instagram earlier in the day, including one in which he posted about his excitement about being about to ride one of the snowmobiles.

Block had been snowmobiling in Utah and had even shared photos and videos on Instagram earlier in the day, including one in which he posted about his excitement about being about to ride one of the snowmobiles.

Block had been snowmobiling in Utah and had even shared photos and videos on Instagram earlier in the day, including one in which he posted about his excitement about being about to ride one of the snowmobiles.

Last week, Block posted photos of himself riding a powerful new Ski-Doo snowmobile.

Last week, Block posted photos of himself riding a powerful new Ski-Doo snowmobile.

Last week, Block posted photos of himself riding a powerful new Ski-Doo snowmobile.

Block was a well-known figure in the rally car racing community and had also competed in motocross, skateboarding, and snowboarding.

Block was a well-known figure in the rally car racing community and had also competed in motocross, skateboarding, and snowboarding.

Block was a well-known figure in the rally car racing community and had also competed in motocross, skateboarding, and snowboarding.

Block had been snowmobiling in Utah and had even shared photos and videos on Instagram earlier in the day, including one in which he posted about his excitement about being about to ride one of the snowmobiles.

In an Instagram Story on Monday, she posted “Hell yeah!” as he approached a row of snowmobiles that had been parked, ready to ride.

On Monday, hours before his death, he wrote: “It’s been BRINGING snow in Park City, Utah this week with more in the forecast for the weekend and we couldn’t make it to the ranch without @SkiDoo sleds and @Machinery! KubotaUSA to clear the way!I can’t wait to see how much more dust accumulates in the next few days.

Block was widely known as a champion rally car racer, having competed in the sport since the mid-2000s and scoring numerous podium finishes.

Rally car driver Ken Block posts photos of himself snowmobiling in Idaho on December 23

Rally car driver Ken Block posts photos of himself snowmobiling in Idaho on December 23

Rally car driver Ken Block posts photos of himself snowmobiling in Idaho on December 23

“Epic early season powder and an amazing first day on my new '23 Ski-Doo Summit X Turbo.  Wheelie, deep turns and lots of learning on this new sled - good times!  block wrote

“Epic early season powder and an amazing first day on my new '23 Ski-Doo Summit X Turbo.  Wheelie, deep turns and lots of learning on this new sled - good times!  block wrote

“Epic early season powder and an amazing first day on my new ’23 Ski-Doo Summit X Turbo. Wheelie, deep turns and lots of learning on this new sled – good times! block wrote

1672726789 229 Pro rally driver Ken Block killed Utah snowmobile accident weeks

1672726789 229 Pro rally driver Ken Block killed Utah snowmobile accident weeks

“It was my first day on my brand new ’23 Ski-Doo Summit X Turbo, and this thing cracks!” block wrote

Block posted a video of himself performing stunts on the powerful snowmobile.

Block posted a video of himself performing stunts on the powerful snowmobile.

Block posted a video of himself performing stunts on the powerful snowmobile.

In one part of the video, Block would be seen virtually floating in the air above the machine.

In one part of the video, Block would be seen virtually floating in the air above the machine.

In one part of the video, Block would be seen virtually floating in the air above the machine.

The fast-paced video saw Block traveling at high speed through the snow.

The fast-paced video saw Block traveling at high speed through the snow.

The fast-paced video saw Block traveling at high speed through the snow.

Block was traveling so fast on one stage that you couldn't see the rest of the snowmobile.

Block was traveling so fast on one stage that you couldn't see the rest of the snowmobile.

Block was traveling so fast on one stage that you couldn’t see the rest of the snowmobile.

But in addition to his success in rally car racing where he finished on the podium dozens of times, Block was a lover of action sports and also competed in motocross, skateboarding, UTV driving, competitive snowboarding and snowmobiling.

He was a well-known figure on social media with 7.5 million followers on his Instagram and 2 million subscribers on his YouTube channel.

He also co-founded DC Shoes with business partner Damon Way in 1994.

His family had also been with him in Utah at the time of the accident and had vacationed together at a mountain lodge.

His team, Hoonigan, released a statement expressing their sadness.

‘Ken was a visionary, a pioneer and an icon. And most importantly, a father and husband. We will miss him incredibly.

Block earned 16 wins in 60 Rally America events between 2005 and 2014 and won five X Games medals.

Block was a well-known figure in the rally car racing community and had also competed in motocross, skateboarding, and snowboarding.

Block was a well-known figure in the rally car racing community and had also competed in motocross, skateboarding, and snowboarding.

Block was a well-known figure in the rally car racing community and had also competed in motocross, skateboarding, and snowboarding.

Block was one of the few Americans to earn points in the World Rally Championship.

Block was one of the few Americans to earn points in the World Rally Championship.

Block was one of the few Americans to earn points in the World Rally Championship.

He is also one of the few Americans to have earned points in the World Rally Championship.

While his achievements in motorsports contributed to his fame, his social media presence helped make him a well-known figure.

His Gymkhana video series, featuring popular motorsports 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 16-year-old daughter Lia, who is also a racer and had raced for her father’s Hoonigan Racing team since she was 11 years old.

Block was also a popular social media influencer and leaves behind his wife Lucy and their three children, including their 16-year-old daughter Lia, who is also a driver.

Block was also a popular social media influencer and leaves behind his wife Lucy and their three children, including their 16-year-old daughter Lia, who is also a driver.

Block was also a popular social media influencer and leaves behind his wife Lucy and their three children, including their 16-year-old daughter Lia, who is also a driver.

His wife posted a photo of her husband's helmet he was wearing when he died.

His wife posted a photo of her husband's helmet he was wearing when he died.

His wife posted a photo of her husband’s helmet he was wearing when he died.