Top Gear presenter critically ill.

[Chez Daja]

Originally Posted by The Sun

By KEVIN O'CONNOR
Sun Online
September 20, 2006

TOP Gear presenter Richard Hammond lies critically ill in hospital after crashing a jet-powered car while filming for the hit programme.

Hammond, who often drives high-performance cars as part of presenting the show, was taken to hospital following the 280mph smash at Elvington airfield near York.
A former firefighter who was one of the first people on the scene of the crash said Hammond was at Elvington as part of an attempt to break a land speed record.

Dave Ogden, who runs private firm Event Fire Services, said the crash had happened on the last 'run' of the day.

Mr Ogden was helping to provide emergency cover at the airfield in case of an accident when he saw the crash.

He said: "We were down there with Top Gear who were filming him trying to break the British land speed record.

"On the previous run the car had just gone over 300mph but I am not sure if it had broken the record.

"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.''



By ONLINE REPORTER
September 21, 2006


SKY ONE Brainiac presenter Jon Tickle has spoken about colleague Richard Hammond's car crash putting it down to "bad luck".

Richard - who co-presents the madcap science show with Tickle - was left fighting for his life after a crashing a jet-propelled dragster at 315mph yesterday.

The former Big Brother contestant said: "He's an absolutely superb chap. He's been nothing but professional over the years.

"He's a lovely family man and a very, very nice individual. Everyone at Brainiac have really got their fingers crossed."

Jon said of the crash: "We've got to put it down to bad luck at the moment.

"I don't think he's a risk-taker for risk-taking sake.

"We've all taken risks on Brainiac to make good TV - I'm sure that's a similar sort of thing he was trying to do."

Jon said that Richard had a "passion" for cars.

The presenter also addressed concerns about safety issues adding that "you wouldn't have been able to move" for health and safety representatives.

He said: "The professionals would have been happy before the item started."

Jon added that response from fans had been "amazing" with the Brainiac website flooded with messages from well-wishers.

He said: "Dom Wood, myself and all of the crew at Brainiac are deeply concerned by the news. All of our thoughts are with Mindy and the family right now."




By ONLINE REPORTERS
September 21, 2006

CRITICALLY—ILL TV star Richard Hammond has "significant brain injuries" according to the doctors that are treating him.

However medics at the Leeds General Infirmary said they were "reasonably optimistic" that he would make a good recovery.


The Top Gear host was left fighting for his life after a horror 315mph smash in a rocket-powered car.

Hammond’s co-presenters on the BBC2 show, James May and Jeremy Clarkson, were at the hospital today with members of his family.

Clarkson said: "Obviously at this time both he and his family are the most important concerns.

"It must be devastating for his wife Mindy and his two utterly adorable children.

"I would just like to say how heartened Richard will be when I tell him just how many motorists and truck drivers on my way here wound down their windows to say they were rooting for him."

A BBC statement said: "We continue to be concerned about his condition and we are keeping in touch with his family.

"The circumstances of this accident will be fully investigated by the BBC, and this process began last night.

"We will, of course, be fully co-operating with any investigation by the police and the Health and Safety Executive.

"Until the BBC's investigation is complete, it would be inappropriate to comment on the details of what happened."


Wife Mindy, 35 — who has been at his bedside since his "utterly horrific" smash — said she was confident he would pull through.

She said: “He’s the strongest man in the world.

"He’s a bit daft, but I love him to bits."

Richard’s dragster car crashed and somersaulted at a reported 315mph — which would be a new UK land speed record.

He briefly regained consciousness after the crash and spoke to rescuers — but blacked out before being flown to hospital on a spinal board.

It's all a little hard to believe. Richard Hammond, as you may know (especially yuo fellow Europeans) is presenter of both Brainiac and Top Gear. Top Gear is incredibly well-known and loved for it's three current presenters; Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May.

I was shocked when I learnt this. Celebrities everywhere are dying/getting themselves into sticky situations like this!

What do you think of this incident? I think Hammond was a little crazy to attempt such a thing... It was such a dangerous stunt.

[Shiendar]

Holy shit. I loved Braniac. Such a shame... I hope he gets better soon. That's why they do things though-so YOU don't have to! (Thank Goddess for G4)

[midgarmako]

That's a shame, I really really hope nothing bad happens to him(like death) because he was and still is a great funny presenter and always kept me watching Top Gear. Great man.

[Yuki-onna]

I saw it on the news and I was all OH NOESZ! THE SHORT GUY FROM TOP GEAR! [i]And[i/] that funky "science" show.

Yes...although I don't have a sausage between my legs, I enjoy Top Gear immensely. I don't even like cars that much. But they make it so giddy! Silly english.

That the doctors were sceptical about possible brain damage...damn. Poor guy. I hope it'll be alright. Top Gear...wouldn't be the same without him...

[-Xu-]

I know Top Gear is now famous for it's crazy stunts,a nd that's what makes it the Top Gear we all know and love.

But I do think a) anything that goes over 300 mph and is techincally 'piloted' should have been driven by it's owner / someone with experience of it.
b) Its a jet powered car, ofcourse there will be risks, but not the kind that should permit a married man with 2 kids to drive it.

Yes, he like ,all the presenters are, was a compotant driver, but still, for him I feel the risks outweighed the thrill.

I hope he does get better, but also that Top Gear won't suffer too much.

[Neo Necron]

Originally Posted by Chez Daja

What do you think of this incident? I think Hammond was a little crazy to attempt such a thing... It was such a dangerous stunt.

I disagree. He knew what he was up against, and he's a top gear presenter, thus this was just the limit of all the experience he already has driving fast vehicles. Besides, that stunt went under endless safety checks and procedures. There were also endless test runs before the run which caused the crash. that crahs shouldn't have happened, and they still aren't sure why it did.

If you present Top Gear, something like this is bound to happen at some point, and the show would most definately be prepared for it. If they weren't, Mr. Hammond would probably be dead now.

I do agree that it would have been extra-safe to have had a trained professional drive the car, but I do not believe Richard was crazy to attempt it.

[Novacrash]

O_O I hope nothing bad happens to him.
He was a pretty cool dude from what I've seen of him on Brainiac.
That's pretty messed up....Damn all these famous people getting Critically ill/death...

[Kratos]

I hate it that he's in the hospital. But that was pretty dangerous. I hope he gets out soon.

[Chez Daja]

Hammond smiled in hospital, it's said. He's not made a reaction to people talking, but Jeremy Clarkson made a joke;

"The reason you're here is because you're a crap driver."

Hammond smiled at this. It's said he's making a recovery now. It's a great thing to hear.

[Yuki-onna]

Yeah, he's up and about and going to make a full recovery, so the grapevines told me. I'm glad; damn idiot needs to stay alive or something.

Haha, they got their hamster back.

[Storm]

Hammond. He showed us all it is great to be short and humerous! Yeah... I've not watched Top Gear much, but he was the one who made the show great. Braniac i've seen a few times too, which he was ace in too.

He seems to be positively minded, though, which always helps. And he seems to be pulling through fine. Yay for a speedy recovery!

[Juice]

Hammond is a legend! im really glad to hear he got out of it ok, and is going to be fine. Brainiac was a ridiculous show, but Top Gear is a freaking classic. I dont even perticually like cars, and yet i watch it every monday night religeously. Gotta love em. :heart: