03 January 2023 , 20:50
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Richard Hammond has paid tribute to his 'bright and bouncy' pal Ken Block after his tragic death.
American rally driver Ken died at the age of 55 after a snowmobile accident, with his team confirming the news on Tuesday.
The Wasatch County Sheriff's Office, which attended the scene of the crash, also released a statement a short time later.
Top Gear star Richard, who worked with Ken alongside co-stars James May and Jeremy Clarkson, paid tribute to the rally driver upon hearing the news.
"His family have lost such a passionate dynamo – their loss is being felt to an extent by millions of people," he said.
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"I hope they can take some comfort in seeing globally how many people were devastated when they saw the news."
Ken died after a snowmobile accident (Getty Images for IMDb)
Richard paid tribute to his pal (WireImage)Ken worked with the Top Gear trio a number of times, including when he drove James around an airport rallycross stage and when he joined them for a live show in 2015.
Richard added to The Sun that Ken was constantly "bright, bouncy and just wanting to get on with it".
"He never listened to a briefing and wasn't really interested in that sort of thing, he just wanted to get on with it," he explained.
Richard added that Ken was a 'showman extraordinaire' and was also an 'inspiration' to those around him.
Fellow co-star James also paid tribute to Ken with a short post.
"RIP Ken Block, with thanks for some hilarious days out. Here’s the airfield drifting piece from years back," he said.
Ken was only 55 years old (Instagram)
He worked with the Top Gear trio a number of times (AFP via Getty Images)Rally car driver Karen Salvaggio also tweeted: "Can’t believe you are gone. In a blink of an eye. A legend, a father and husband. Will miss you so much".
Ken's devastated team, Hoonigan Racing Division, shared the news of his death saying 'he will be incredibly missed'.
"It's with our deepest regrets that we can confirm that Ken Block passed away in a snowmobile accident today," a statement posted to Instagram read.
Net worth of racing legend Ken Block
"Ken was a visionary, a pioneer and an icon. And, most importantly, a father and husband. He will be incredibly missed.
"Please respect the family's privacy at this time while they grieve."
He is survived by his wife Lucy and their three children.
The late action sports star began rallying in his native USA in 2005, initially in the Rally America series.