Shockwave Posted September 21, 2006 Share Posted September 21, 2006 For those of you who have seen Top Gear on the BBC, you'll know who Richard Hammond is. Yesterday he suffered a big crash in a jet powered car. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/north_yorkshire/5367616.stm Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond has suffered a "significant brain injury" after crashing a jet-powered car at speeds of up to 300mph during filming. Doctors at Leeds General Infirmary said they were "reasonably optimistic" the 36-year-old would make a good recovery. The BBC, which is likely to face close scrutiny, has begun an inquiry. The police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are also investigating. Event organisers insisted that proper safety precautions were taken. Hammond's father, Alan, was reported to be looking after the presenter's two daughters. He told the London Evening Standard newspaper he was "just hoping Richard pulls through". Scene of Richard Hammond's crash at Elvington airfield Enlarge Image "At the moment we are not sure if he is going to live or die. His children are very confused," he said. Hammond's wife Mindy was at his bedside in the Leeds hospital and he was also visited by Top Gear co-hosts Jeremy Clarkson and James May. Referring to Hammond by his nickname, Clarkson said in statement: "Both James and I are looking forward to getting our 'hamster' back." 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 300.3mph. Primetime Land Speed Engineering, which is jointly run by Fallows, organised the event. A spokesman for the firm said the vehicle Hammond was driving "had been prepared and was being operated to the highest of standards". Top Gear's chequered past Keith King, an inspector for the HSE, said it was a "very unusual case", adding that the executive would look at the preparation and planning of the event and contingencies for an emergency. Meanwhile, Supt Martin Deacon of North Yorkshire police, said his officers would initially focus on the road and the vehicle. On Thursday afternoon, the dragster was lifted on to the back of a lorry and taken away for forensic examination at an undisclosed location. 'Speed obsession' The BBC said in a statement that it had begun an investigation into the accident and promised full co-operation with the HSE. "We continue to be concerned about [Hammond's] condition and we are keeping in touch with his family," the statement said. Top Gear has courted controversy in the past over its big-budget car stunts, and in 1999 a group of MPs criticised the series for being "obsessed with acceleration and speed". Last year, lobby group Transport 2000 called for the show to be taken off the air accusing it of "glamorising speed and failing to make the connection with danger on the roads". At the time, Hammond defended the programme, saying: "Top Gear is an entertaining show, for people that are interested in cars, that is driven by people who have been motoring journalists for many, many years." Hammond had to be cut free from the car on Wednesday evening after eyewitnesses at the Elvington airfield near York described how he "veered off to the right" and the car's parachutes were deployed. A website set up for well-wishers to make donations to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, which airlifted Hammond to hospital, has so far raised more than £4,000. Here's wishing all the best for Hamster and his loved ones in what is a very difficult time for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chavslayer Posted September 21, 2006 Share Posted September 21, 2006 I heard about this earlier today, I really hope he recovers soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vekoma Fan Boy Posted September 21, 2006 Share Posted September 21, 2006 Wow i used to watch top gear...It's on discovery channel here. I hope hes okay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shockwave Posted September 22, 2006 Author Share Posted September 22, 2006 Some good news - Richard is making a slight improvement on his condition, and has been talking. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5371556.stm It's a miracle that he's still with us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cameron Posted September 22, 2006 Share Posted September 22, 2006 Very sad, hope he pulls through and returns to full health soon. Top Gear is a fantastic show that (of course) is next to impossible to find in the US. Discovery Channel sometimes playes episodes that have been badly hacked up (and they play them out of order, too). There's talk of an American version, which boggles my mind. Why not just play the Brittish one? I mean, they're the same freaking cars! Cameron. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WillMontu Posted September 22, 2006 Share Posted September 22, 2006 I watch it when it's on Discovery Channel. I like the British version, and would prefer it over an American version, especially with the British humor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shockwave Posted September 22, 2006 Author Share Posted September 22, 2006 If you have a multi region DVD player, I'd highly recommend getting this: The Top Gear Winter Olympics! http://www.play.com/DVD/DVD/4-/903199/Top_Gear_Winter_Olympics/Product.html Highlights include racing two "school run" 4x4 cars over a biathlon course, Richard Hammond nearly freezing himself and a car in a cold climate chamber, racing a Rally Car against a Bobsled, Suzuki Swift Ice Hockey, and a Mini being launched off a Ski Jump! I found the Mini Clip on YouTube, it's awesome!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fPhgh2cD3s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crispy Posted September 23, 2006 Share Posted September 23, 2006 Thats a major bummer, Top Gear is awesome, I wish him the best, and a speedy recovery Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tngdiablo Posted September 23, 2006 Share Posted September 23, 2006 This is terrible, I love Hamster. I really hope he pulls through so that May and Clarkson can keep making jokes about him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4718 Posted September 23, 2006 Share Posted September 23, 2006 I found the Mini Clip on YouTube, it's awesome!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fPhgh2cD3s Holy crap, that was sweet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calvin Posted October 1, 2006 Share Posted October 1, 2006 No! He can't be injured! He's too cute! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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