Famous US rally driver dies in snowmobile accident

American motorsport legend Ken Block has died in a snowmobile accident in Utah at the age of 55.

According to the BBC, one of his companies, Hoonigan Industries, confirmed its founder's passing in a statement on Instagram on January 2.

"Ken was a visionary, a pioneer and an icon. And most importantly, a father and husband. He will be incredibly missed", the statement reads.

Block was riding a snowmobile up a steep slope in Wasatch County, Utah, when the vehicle upended, landing on top of him, the local sheriff's office wrote on Facebook.

He was pronounced dead at the scene from the injuries he sustained.

The sheriff's office said that Block had been riding with a group but was alone when the crash occurred.

A competitive rally driver since 2005, Block was Rally America's Rookie of the Year in his first season and went on to win rallycross medals at the X Games and podium finishes at the World Rallycross Championship.