Hammonds making good progress
 

Top Gear star Richard Hammond is making "good progress" as he continues to recover in hospital following his high-speed crash in a jet-powered dragster.

If the TV presenter's condition continues to improve he may be moved on to a general medical ward in the coming days, a spokesman for Leeds General Infirmary said.

On Friday, Hammond, 36, got to his feet and walked, just 30 hours after the crash, his co-presenter Jeremy Clarkson said.

Hammond is in a stable condition in hospital where friends and family have been keeping a bedside vigil following Wednesday's accident at Elvington airfield, near York.

His wife Mindy told the Daily Mirror: "He's spoken and smiled. It's early days and what has happened hasn't really sunk in for him.

"But he's starting to look like Richard again. He's tough as hell and on his way back."

She added: "The whole family is overwhelmed by everyone's support. There have been so many flowers, cards and emails 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."

The presenter was seriously injured when the 370mph jet-powered Vampire dragster he was driving at speeds up to 300mph veered off the runway, flipped over several times and crashed on to the grass. He was airlifted to hospital.

Police and Health and Safety Executive investigations are continuing to establish exactly what went wrong in the incident that happened during filming for the BBC2 motoring show. The BBC has released no further information about the events leading up to the crash.

That's good news... get well soon Hamster!

Jeremy Clarkson has written about the last few days here - http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2006440317,00.html

James May - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main...nhammond23.xml

This is great news for the chirpy chappy .A close friend of mine on The isle of Man met him this summer when he was over staying with Jeremy Clarkson and tells me he has a wonderful family.He can probably now expect some ribbing from his co hosts for not breaking the speed record!!

Thats good news to hear. i'm a big fan of his but hes up and walking which is a good sign. heres me wishing him a speady recovery.

Richard Hammond is going to be on Jonathon Ross' show on 22nd December. :thumbs:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6162885.stm

ooh thanks for that James ill make sure to tune in

It's on tonight. :thumbs: Clips are here - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6201247.stm

Oh cool thanks for that
Ive read somewhere that he lost his memory for two weeks after the accident

Showing it all (the crash) on Top Gear. New series to start this week (28.01.07)

Great show - hope they never get rid of it. Glad to see he is still the same chirpy chappy.

I can't wait. I'm so pleased Richard will be back presenting on TV again.

There's a good interview in the week's Radio Times with the presenters.

Also noticed that there are some clips from the new series on the BBC 2 website - looks great.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctwo/

Might have to watch Top Gear instead of the CBB final on Sunday.

Some of that was hilarious :joker:. This looks like being a good series. And I can't wait to see more about the build up and aftermath of Hamster's crash.