[Arneldo]

Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond has suffered a "significant brain injury" after being involved in a jet-powered car crash at a former RAF airfield in Yorkshire yesterday, it has been announced.

"Mr Hammond has suffered a significant brain injury. It's still giving cause for concern as it is still early after the injury," the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said in a statement this evening. "However, we are reasonably optimistic that he will make a good recovery."

The statement was issued nearly 24 hours after Hammond was airlifted for treatment at Leeds General Infirmary's neurological unit.

Today, it was confirmed that the BBC has launched an investigation into the crash in which Hammond's jet-powered Vampire dragster, capable of over 300mph, veered off the track and flipped several times. The Health and Safety Executive has also started an investigation, with which the BBC has pledged its full co-operation. North Yorkshire Police are currently focusing their own investigation on the vehicle itself, which has been removed from the airfield for forensic analysis.

Hammond's Top Gear co-presenters Jeremy Clarkson and James May visited him at Leeds General earlier today. Clarkson issued a statement, noting that "both he and his family are the most important concerns we have."

Hammond has "significant brain injury"