Pro rally driver Ken Block, known by many video game players for his appearances in DiRT and Forza, has died aged 55 after a snowmobile accident.
“It’s with our deepest regrets that we can confirm that Ken Block passed away in a snowmobile accident today,” Block’s team Hoonigan Racing said in a statement on Monday. “Ken was a visionary, a pioneer and an icon. And most importantly, a father and husband. He will be incredibly missed.”
The Sheriff’s Office in Wasatch County, Utah said Block was riding a snowmobile on a steep slope when the snowmobile upended, landing on top of him.
As well as being a pro rally driver and popular YouTuber, Block will be familiar to a generation of video game players.
💔Rest in peace, Ken.https://t.co/E2fV0wtWmD
Block appeared in three installments ofCodemasters‘ Dirt racing video games as a driver and gymkhana teacher. His Monster World Rally Team vehicles are also available in the game.
Block also appeared in the 2015Need for Speedvideo game as the style icon, and his Hoonigan-branded cars featured inMicrosoft‘sForzaracing video game series.
The officialForza HorizonTwitterwroteon Tuesday: “Devastating news about the loss of @kblock43 – he was a legend in Motorsports and will be dearly missed. Our deepest condolences to his family and the team at @TheHoonigans”.
