Dave Mirra dies at age 41

X Games athlete and rally driver Dave Mirra has died at the age of 41.

Police officers from Greenville, North Carolina say they found his body on Thursday with “an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound”. He was said to have been visiting friends in the area before the incident.

He was a highly decorated X Games athlete, winning a medal every year from 1995 to 2008. Until 2013, he held the record for the most X Games medals in history with 24.

From 2008 to 2013, Mirra took to rally, racing for the factory Subaru Rally Team USA through 2012-2013 – and later, Mini – and managed a 4th placed finish in the 2013 GRC season.

City of Greenville Mayor, Allen Thomas, said: “We mourn the loss today of a great friend and wonderful human being who touched the lives of so many around the world with his gift.”

Tributes poured out across social media, including Tony Hawk, who said: “Goodbye Dave Mirra, a true pioneer, icon and legend. Thank you for the memories.”

He is survived by his wife and two daughters.