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Arneldo · 21-09-2006, 06:40 PM

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"

Sophii3x · 21-09-2006, 06:54 PM

Aww i heared in the news
He's a really funny presenter aswell

I hope he gets well!

James · 21-09-2006, 06:58 PM

I hope he get's well soon. He's one of my favourite presenters on TV and I like Top Gear also.

I was going to post about this last night but didn't want to because his condition looked touch-and-go.

Hopefully the bit in the hospital statement 'we are reasonably optimistic that he will make a good recovery' is good reason for optimism.

Dan_ · 21-09-2006, 07:03 PM

The recovery will proably take a long time but hopefully he can pull through and get well soon.

MarkWaldorf · 21-09-2006, 07:06 PM

I heard about this

BigSister · 21-09-2006, 07:15 PM

hope he gets well soon

sol · 21-09-2006, 07:18 PM

Hope he gets better soon.

tropical_sunset · 21-09-2006, 08:17 PM

Terrible news, hope he recovers 100%

James · 22-09-2006, 01:41 AM

Jon Tickle sends his best wishes - http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2006440024,00.html

Mike · 22-09-2006, 01:37 PM

A bit of better news on the Richard Hammond front.

Hammond moved from intensive care...

Doctors said Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond had been moved out of intensive care and was making 'satisfactory progress'.

The 36-year-old suffered serious head injuries when the 370mph jet-powered car he was driving crashed.

Friends and family have been keeping a bedside vigil at Leeds General Infirmary.

Police and safety experts are investigating the crash, which happened after Hammond had been driving at speeds close to 300mph as part of filming.

Organisers - who have denied reports that Hammond was trying to break the British land speed record - said the "highest" safety standards had been followed in preparation for filming.

Primetime Land Speed Engineering, which is jointly run by the current British land speed record holder Colin Fallows, said they were "deeply shocked" by the accident.

Spokesman Malcolm Pittwood said he did not know how fast Hammond was going when he crashed but he was less than half way down the 1.8-mile runway when the accident happened.

Keith King, a principal inspector with the Health & Safety Executive, said the HSE would be looking at the preparation and planning for Wednesday's event.

http://www.itv.com/news/index_17d479...4a5006ce42.htm