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

Rally car driving champion and action sports star Ken Block has died at the age of 55 in a snowmobile accident in Utah.

Block was traveling up a steep slope at around 2pm on Monday when the snowmobile he was riding overturned and landed on top of him, the Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office stated. 

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

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

‘It was my first day on my new ‘23 Ski-Doo Summit X Turbo, and this thing rips! Lots of power up at high elevation, and wheelies all day! Epic early season powder, and an amazing first day. Wheelies, deep pow turns, and a lot of learning on this new sled – good times!

Block had been traveling up this steep slope at around 2pm on Monday when the snowmobile he was riding overturned and landed on top of him. The Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office posted this photo of the accident site

Block had been snowmobiling in Utah and had even shared photos and video on Instagram earlier in the day including one in which he posted about his excitement that he was about to ride one of the snowmobiles

Last week, Block posted photos of himself riding a new powerful 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 had been snowmobiling in Utah and had even shared photos and video on Instagram earlier in the day including one in which he posted about his excitement that he was about to ride one of the snowmobiles. 

In one Instagram Story on Monday he posted ‘Hell yeah!’ as he approached a row of snowmobiles that had been parked up, ready to ride.

On Monday, hours before his death, he wrote: ‘It’s been DUMPING snow in Park City, Utah this week with more forecasted for the weekend, and we wouldn’t be able to make it out to the ranch without the @SkiDoo sleds and @KubotaUSA machinery to clear the way! Can’t wait to see how much more powder stacks up over the next few days.’

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

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. Wheelies, deep pow turns, and a lot of learning on this new sled – good times!’ Block wrote

‘It was my first day on my new ’23 Ski-Doo Summit X Turbo, and this thing rips!’ Block wrote

Block posted video of himself performing stunts on the powerful snowmobile

In one portion of the video Block would be seen virtually hovering in the air on the machine

The fast-paced video saw Block traveling at quite a rate through the snow

Block was traveling so fast at one stage that the rest of the snowmobile couldn’t be seen 

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, driving UTVs, 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 to 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 having spent the holiday 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. He will be incredibly missed.’

Block earned 16 victories in 60 Rally America events from 2005 to 2014 and won five medals in the X Games. 

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 few Americans who have earned points in the World Rally Championship

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

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

His Gymkhana video series, which features popular motorsports videos only further increased 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 his 16-year-old daughter Lia, who is also a driver and had competed for her father’s Hoonigan Racing team since the age of 11.

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

His wife posted a photo of her husband’s helmet which he had been wearing when he died