Top Gear - Richard Hammond Critical.

[Tornado]

I hope he recovers. Possibly the best show on tv. (BBC prime and BBC in Thailand)

AP - The host of a BBC television show about automobiles was critically injured when the jet-powered car he was test driving at about 450 kph crashed, the network said.

The accident occurred when Richard Hammond, 36, the host of Top Gear, was racing the car down a runway at an unused Royal Air Force air field near York city in northern England and it overturned, police and the BBC said.

Hammond, who often drives high-performance cars for the show, was rushed in an air ambulance to a hospital in Leeds.

[kayo]

Well, I mean, som nom na... he was driving a bit fast wasnt`he?

[Tornado]

Well, I mean, som nom na... he was driving a bit fast wasnt`he?

You have to when trying to beat the Briish land speed record!

what a stupid comment.

It seems he is in stable condition with head injuries.

[chuchok]

best show on TV by far. hope he is ok.

[taxexile]

he sounds a bit poorly i'm afraid.

Top Gear presenter badly injured in crash

· Jet-propelled vehicle overturns at 300mph

· Unconscious Hammond flown to hospital

Sam Jones

Thursday September 21, 2006

The Guardian

The Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond was critically ill in hospital last night after a jet-propelled car in which he hoped to break the British land speed record crashed while travelling at 300mph.

Hammond, 36, was driving the dragster at Elvington airfield, near Leeds, when the accident happened at 5.45pm.

Rescue crews cut into the wreckage of the car and dragged the unconscious Hammond out before he was flown by helicopter to Leeds General infirmary, which has a specialist neurological unit.

A former firefighter, who was one of the first people at the scene, said it had happened on the last "run" of the day.

"We were down there with Top Gear who were filming him trying to break the British land speed record," said Dave Ogden, who runs Event Fire Services.

"They had just done one more run and were planning to finish when it veered off to the right. One of the parachutes had deployed, but it went on to the grass and spun over and over before coming to a rest about 100 yards from us." His crew and an ambulance that was already on the airfield rushed over and found the car upside down and "dug in" to the grass.

Mr Ogden said he felt for a pulse and heard Hammond, who was unconscious, breathing before the emergency crews cut him free. "He was regaining consciousness at that point and said he had some lower back pain. But he was drifting in and out of consciousness a little bit," said Mr Ogden.

The hospital described the presenter's condition as "critical", and said his relatives were on their way to Leeds. James May, who co-presents Top Gear with Hammond and Jeremy Clarkson, was said to be devastated to learn his "old mate" had been injured.

Michael Harvey, editor of Top Gear magazine, told BBC News 24 that driving a jet-propelled dragster was not easy.

"Clearly at those kinds of speeds the tiniest little thing has to go wrong and the speed obviously massively exaggerates the consequences of anything going wrong," he said.

"This wasn't a high performance car, this wasn't a road car, this was a rocket powered dragster which bears absolutely no relation to the kind of cars which are the main fodder of the Top Gear programme - this was a car that clearly contained its own risks."

Harvey said although he was sure that every possible precaution had been taken at the track, something had clearly gone wrong "and Richard has unfortunately suffered the consequences".

Hammond, who is married and has two daughters, began his broadcasting career at Radio York and Radio Cumbria before moving into television as a presenter on the cable and satellite channel Men and Motors. He joined Top Gear in 2002, where his ability to withstand Clarkson's taunts have endeared him to its audience.

Hammond's profile on Top Gear's website hints that his presence on the show may have helped to attract more female viewers. "Women the world over adore him," it reads. "Something about his puppy dog eyes, and them wanting to protect him from the nasty Mr Clarkson."

Backstory

The BBC's motoring programme has changed beyond all recognition since its launch in 1977. In the early days, it was a straightforward, half-hour look at cars and road safety issues fronted by presenters including Angela Rippon and Noel Edmonds. It continued throughout the 80s and 90s fronted by Jeremy Clarkson, Tiff Needell, Quentin Willson and Vicki Butler-Henderson, evolving into a loud, laddish show that relies as much on humour as technical expertise.

Since its relaunch in 2002 it has attracted good viewing figures, industry acclaim - including an Emmy award last year - and controversy. Its presenters' fondness for thirsty cars, destroying caravans and poking fun at political correctness have frequently provoked condemnation from environmentalists and safety campaigners.

and yes , its a great show , except for the bit where the boring "celebs" race a saloon around a track and then have their <deleted> licked by balding mummys boy clarkson.)

get well soon hammond.

[terdsak_12]

Lets hope he gets btter soon, top bloke.

[Insight]

Remember the one last series where he had to drive around his hometown in this pink Nissan Micra C+C? He ended up stopping the review half way through. Quality.

Get well soon Richard.

[davethailand]

Well, I mean, som nom na... he was driving a bit fast wasnt`he?

You have to when trying to beat the Briish land speed record!

what a stupid comment.

It seems he is in stable condition with head injuries.

Agreed! A very stupid comment.

[chonabot]

Get well soon little bloke!

[wilko]

Well, I mean, som nom na... he was driving a bit fast wasnt`he?

Over 5000 posts and that's thebest you come up with...you deserve to lose your membership....at the least.

[The Dan Sai Kid]

Well, I mean, som nom na... he was driving a bit fast wasnt`he?

Over 5000 posts and that's thebest you come up with...you deserve to lose your membership....at the least.

He's not a moderator! He's only a clown!

[Old Croc]

Well, I mean, som nom na... he was driving a bit fast wasnt`he?

Over 5000 posts and that's thebest you come up with...you deserve to lose your membership....at the least.

He's not a moderator! He's only a clown!

I think Wilko edited the word moderator out. I was about to post something similar.

[wilko]

The word I was looking for was "masturbator" but I don't know how to spell it!?!?!

[The Dan Sai Kid]

The word I was looking for was "masturbator" but I don't know how to spell it!?!?!

That's easy K - A - Y - O!

[kayo]

Well, I mean, som nom na... he was driving a bit fast wasnt`he?

You have to when trying to beat the Briish land speed record!

what a stupid comment.

It seems he is in stable condition with head injuries.

The word I was looking for was "masturbator" but I don't know how to spell it!?!?!

That's easy K - A - Y - O!

Eh? What, take a risk and get hurt.

That`s part of the fun. No point in crying about it.

I likes steve Irwin too, he took a risk. He died. Bless what a way to go.

I hope yer lad recovers, I`m just saying it`s no good crying about it like a Celt.

Nobody ever ended up in hospital for reading your posts.

[Farma]

It doesn't look good for him. It's being reported he has suffered significant brain injury on sky news.

We can only hope for the best. I watch top gear and brainiac and liked the shows.

[Insight]

From here:

Hammond had been able to talk to but was in distress, he added.

"He was regaining consciousness at that point and said he had some lower back pain. But he was drifting in and out of consciousness a little bit," Ogden said.

Surely a positive sign if you're able to walk...? Time will tell...

[endure]

BBC reports that he suffered 'significant' brain injury but is expected to make a good recovery.

[Khutan]

I certainly hope he recovers completly and quickly, I certanily enjoy his work.

[Thaddeus]

BBC reports that he suffered 'significant' brain injury but is expected to make a good recovery.

Good..... Top Gear was probably the only program on the Beeb that I would set my watch for.

I sincerely hope that he makes a speedy recovery (and if anyone thinks about making a comment about the word speedy....... please don't)

[Insight]

Thaddeus - there's also Have I Got News For You

[bkkmick]

Maybe there is some light at the end of the tunnel for Richard: Read This

[Tornado]

nice one.

[Neeranam]

laugh.gif laugh.gif Eh? What, take a risk and get hurt.

That`s part of the fun. No point in crying about it.

I likes steve Irwin too, he took a risk. He died. Bless what a way to go.

I hope yer lad recovers, I`m just saying it`s no good crying about it like a Celt.

Nobody ever ended up in hospital for reading your posts

I agree with what you say Kayo.

I hope he recovers soon.

[daleyboy]

A great program, and he seems to work very well with Clarkson. One program i never miss

Get well soon hamster. And i hope he hasnt lost any of his white teeth

[bigjl]

Heard on the news today that he was no longer in ITU but was in HDU (high dependency unit), this must mean that he is no longer intubated and not in an artificially induced coma, to control intercranial pressure.

I hope he will be back soon, his interactions with Clarkson and James May are priceless.

[Kimera]

Heard on the news today that he was no longer in ITU but was in HDU (high dependency unit), this must mean that he is no longer intubated and not in an artificially induced coma, to control intercranial pressure.

I hope he will be back soon, his interactions with Clarkson and James May are priceless.

BBC reports that he able to have a conversation, thats a good sign

[Pat O'cake]

I too enjoy the show and hope he makes a full recovery...

But will we ever know if he did have his teeth whitened?

[Tornado]

Hammond 'has taken first steps'

Mrs Hammond has been at her husband's bedside since the crash.

Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond is continuing to recover in hospital, with friend Jeremy Clarkson saying the crash victim has taken his first steps.

The 36-year-old has now been moved out of the high dependency unit and onto a general ward, his family said.

It comes after his wife said the family had been "overwhelmed" with messages of support from around the world.

Mr Hammond suffered a "significant" brain injury when he crashed in a jet-powered car on Wednesday.

The accident is being investigated by the BBC, the police and the Health and Safety Executive.

The 36-year-old presenter's condition is said by doctors to be "stable".

A hospital spokesman said on Saturday Mr Hammond was continuing "to make good progress".

'Spoken and smiled'

Mr Hammond's wife Amanda, known as Mindy, said she has had messages from around the world since his accident during filming near York.

His co-presenter Jeremy Clarkson, a Sun columnist, said in the paper the father-of-two got to his feet and walked "shakily" to the toilet during the early hours of Friday - just 30 hours after the crash.

Mrs Hammond told the Daily Mirror: "He's starting to look like Richard again. He's tough as hel_l and on his way back.

"He's spoken and smiled. It's early days and what has happened hasn't really sunk in for him.

"The whole family is overwhelmed by everyone's support. There have been so many flowers, cards and e-mails from around the world.

"To know that so many people love him is astounding. We want to thank everyone for their good wishes and prayers."

Mr Hammond's brother Nick told reporters his brother had improved since he saw him earlier in the week.

"He's making good progress. We are very happy," he said.

Fellow Top Gear presenter James May said on Friday he believed the injured presenter was "perfectly intact" after the pair had had a conversation at his hospital bedside.

"I'm not a doctor but I am his mate and I believe that deep inside the Hammond I know is perfectly intact," he said.

The presenter had been driving a jet-powered dragster similar to the Vampire used by Colin Fallows to set the British land speed record of 300.3 mph.

Mr Hammond, from Cheltenham, Glos, had to be cut free after the car "veered off to the right" and its parachutes opened during a drive at Elvington airfield.

Primetime Land Speed Engineering, which supplied the car and a support team for the event, said the vehicle "had been prepared and was being operated to the highest of standards".

The BBC said in a statement that it had started an investigation into the accident and promised full co-operation with the HSE.

A BBC spokeswoman also confirmed the final part of the Best of Top Gear, due to be screened on 1 October, had been postponed indefinitely.

A statement from the BBC said: "We would like to express our thanks to the 40,000 people who have sent goodwill messages about Richard.

"These will all be passed on to him, and the Top Gear team and presenters are very grateful indeed for this exceptional and heartfealt response from viewers, which will be a terrific boost to Richard for his recovery.

"It had been intended that the new series of Top Gear would begin on 8 October. Given the circumstances, it's still too early to say when the series will return. Jeremy, James and the Top Gear team have been completely focussed on Richard and all that the wonderful staff of the Leeds General Infirmary have done for him.

"The priority for now must be ensuring Richard makes a full recovery, but we would not think of finalising plans for the next series without discussing it with everyone involved. When it is suitable, the team will do this and we will announce a new transmission date."

Meanwhile, a group of motoring enthusiasts has raised more than £56,000 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance charity - which airlifted Mr Hammond to hospital - after setting up a web page for contributions.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/topgear/richard_hammond.shtml

He seems to be doing ok.

[Plus]

A great program, and he seems to work very well with Clarkson. One program i never miss

I always miss it. I missed it too many times that now I really miss it.

It used to be every Sat at 23.30, but then it disappeared, appeared again and so on. Once it was because they hit a tree and someone sued them for it, but why it is so irregular now I have no idea.

Do you never miss it?

There's also a book "The world according to Clarkson", but it's unavailable in Thailand, sadly.

They used that rocket-car once to to completely blow away some little Toyota or something, just for the fun of it.

And sorry about Richard, almost forgot.