Sam Gardiner, a former Race Across the World contestant, has died following a car crash. He was 24.
Gardiner was driving a white Volkswagen in Manchester, England, on Monday, May 26, at around 9:50 p.m. local time when the car veered off the road and "rolled before landing on its side," the Greater Manchester Police said in a statement.
Gardiner was transported to the hospital, where he succumbed to life-threatening injuries on Thursday, May 29.
He was the only passenger of the vehicle, per the police.
"His family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers," police said in a separate statement.
Gardiner's parents, Jo and Andrew, wrote that they are "devastated" in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.
"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 said. "Sam was adored by his family. As a son, brother and nephew, he was loyal, funny and fiercely protective."
The grieving parents remembered his time on the BBC reality show, saying it "opened his eyes to the wonder of adventure and travel."
They continued, "He was willing to go wherever the trail might lead and he touched everyone he met on the road. He found great happiness working as a landscape gardener on the west coast of Scotland."
Jo and Andrew added: "Sam brought warmth, laughter and a smattering of chaos wherever he went. He leaves behind a huge hole in our hearts. We will miss him endlessly, but we'll also remember him with smiles, tall tales, and a depth of love that will never fade."
Gardiner had been working as a landscape gardener in Scotland but was visiting his family in Manchester at the time of his death.
He starred in season 2 of Race Across the World alongside his mother.
"There will be a private funeral for family and friends in due course. The family have asked for privacy at this terrible time," a spokesperson for Race Across the World said in a statement.
The spokesperson paid tribute to Gardiner, writing, "We are all deeply saddened to hear the tragic news about Sam. Everyone who worked with him, and indeed everyone who watched Sam, could see just how precious and transformative the trip was for both him and his mum Jo."
Gardiner "embraced the seven-week trip with an energy, love and a determination that saw the pair enjoy adventures across Mexico to Argentina, making audiences fall in love with them and their special bond as a result," the spokesperson said.
The tribute continued: "Since filming, both Sam and Jo have been an integral part of the Race Across the World cast family and on behalf of us all from the BBC, production and the rest of the cast, we would like to extend our deepest condolences to his parents, Andrew and Jo; his brothers, William and Charlie; his step mum Justine; his family and friends."
The show featured Gardiner -- who was 19 at the time -- and his mother as they traveled across South America with no phones.
While previously speaking to the BBC ahead of taking part in the show, Jo said she wanted to teach her son, who had ADHD, how to travel before he embarked on adventures of his own.
"My son and I get on so well, and he is desperate to travel, but I'm nervous of him going off on his own. I want the trip to help him grow, and see how the world works," she said. "To watch him experience this will be fantastic. He's come such a long way, and I would love to see him achieve his dreams."
Gardiner also shared his excitement about spending quality time with his mom. "Mum and I are very close -- we often think or say the same things. She has traveled a lot in her life, so I think it would be fun to do it with her. She always seems to get things right; she can speak to people and fix things. She's amazing," he said at the time.
Gardiner is survived by his parents, stepmother Justine, and brothers Charlie and William.