Richard Hammond has paid tribute to racer Ken Block after he died in a snowmobile accident. The 55-year-old rally driver, who had featured on BBC's Top Gear a number of times, died after the accident over the weekend.
Hammond, who used to co-host the BBC's Top Gear with James May and Jeremy Clarkson, where in multiple episodes Block had shown off his incredible skills, said: "Of course we all got on with him, how could you not?" As reported by Birmingham Live, he told the Sun: "His family have lost such a passionate dynamo - their loss is being felt to an extent by millions of people. I hope they can take some comfort in seeing globally how many people were devastated when they saw the news."
"I wish I had spent more time with him, but like everyone else, I am more than anything a fan of Ken." He died on Monday, January 2 as a result of a snowmobile accident in Wasatach County, Utah.
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Police said Block was riding a snowmobile on a sharp slope which then flipped and landed on top of him. He was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.
Block made his name rallying in America and around the world, before moving to rallycross later in his career. "He never listened to a briefing and wasn't really interested in that sort of thing, he just wanted to get on with it," Hammond said. "He knew what he could do behind the wheel and he lived in that space," he added.
Lewis Hamilton has also paid tribute, writing: "I've been mostly off social media to focus on my health and well-being. Today, I received news of the loss of a dear friend. I am devastated to hear of Ken Block's passing. He was such an amazing person, always lived life to the fullest. I remember our first time working together and how positive he was. So much talent behind the wheel. Years ago, we had an amazing time heli-skiing and snowboarding in Canada.
"We held so much respect for one another. He will truly be missed and my thoughts and prayers go to his beautiful family. Gone too soon. Rest in peace, Ken."
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