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21/09/2006
'Top Gear' presenter in hospital following crash
'Top Gear' presenter Richard Hammond is seriously ill in hospital after being injured in a high-speed crash while filming for the BBC show.
It is believed that Hammond was travelling at speeds close to 300mph while driving a jet-powered car on the Elvington airfield near York when the crash happened on Wednesday.
Former firefighter Dave Ogden, who was providing emergency cover, was one of the first people on the scene when the accident happened.
He told reporters that Hammond had completed several runs in the car when it suddenly "veered off to the right."
Mr Ogden said that one of the parachutes on the vehicle deployed, but said that the car went on to the grass and spun "over and over" before coming to rest about a hundred yards from them.
The car was found upside down and "dug in" to the grass, Mr Ogden said.
He said that he felt for a pulse and said that Hammond was breathing before the car was turned the right way up and he was cut free from the vehicle.
Mr Ogden said that the presenter was regaining consciousness then and said that he had some pain in his lower back.
A spokesperson for Leeds General Infirmary, where Hammond was taken by helicopter after the accident, said that he was being treated in a neurological unit, but had shown signs of improvement overnight. He remains in a serious but stable condition.
It has been reported that Mr Hammond's wife Amanada is at his bedside. His Top Gear co-hosts Jeremy Clarkson and James May have also visited the hospital. In a statement, Clarkson said: "Obviously at this time both he and his family are the most important concerns we have. Both James and I are looking forward to getting our 'Hamster' back."
An investigation is being carried out by the Health and Safety Executive and the BBC.
(KMcA/EF)
It is believed that Hammond was travelling at speeds close to 300mph while driving a jet-powered car on the Elvington airfield near York when the crash happened on Wednesday.
Former firefighter Dave Ogden, who was providing emergency cover, was one of the first people on the scene when the accident happened.
He told reporters that Hammond had completed several runs in the car when it suddenly "veered off to the right."
Mr Ogden said that one of the parachutes on the vehicle deployed, but said that the car went on to the grass and spun "over and over" before coming to rest about a hundred yards from them.
The car was found upside down and "dug in" to the grass, Mr Ogden said.
He said that he felt for a pulse and said that Hammond was breathing before the car was turned the right way up and he was cut free from the vehicle.
Mr Ogden said that the presenter was regaining consciousness then and said that he had some pain in his lower back.
A spokesperson for Leeds General Infirmary, where Hammond was taken by helicopter after the accident, said that he was being treated in a neurological unit, but had shown signs of improvement overnight. He remains in a serious but stable condition.
It has been reported that Mr Hammond's wife Amanada is at his bedside. His Top Gear co-hosts Jeremy Clarkson and James May have also visited the hospital. In a statement, Clarkson said: "Obviously at this time both he and his family are the most important concerns we have. Both James and I are looking forward to getting our 'Hamster' back."
An investigation is being carried out by the Health and Safety Executive and the BBC.
(KMcA/EF)
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11 September 2007
Top Gear Presenter Hammond Involved In Crash
Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond has been involved in another car crash, less than a year after he nearly died in a 288mph crash. The BBC confirmed that Hammond, 37, skidded off the track while participating in a 24-hour Le Mans-style race at Silverstone on Saturday.
Top Gear Presenter Hammond Involved In Crash
Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond has been involved in another car crash, less than a year after he nearly died in a 288mph crash. The BBC confirmed that Hammond, 37, skidded off the track while participating in a 24-hour Le Mans-style race at Silverstone on Saturday.
23 October 2006
'Top Gear' presenter describes crash
'Top Gear' presenter Richard Hammond has given his first interview since the high-speed jet-powered car crash, which almost killed him. Speaking to the 'Daily Mirror', the 36-year-old said: "It was 50/50 what was going to happen. I may have been dead, I may not have woken up." He told the newspaper: "Doctors use a points system.
'Top Gear' presenter describes crash
'Top Gear' presenter Richard Hammond has given his first interview since the high-speed jet-powered car crash, which almost killed him. Speaking to the 'Daily Mirror', the 36-year-old said: "It was 50/50 what was going to happen. I may have been dead, I may not have woken up." He told the newspaper: "Doctors use a points system.
22 September 2006
'Top Gear' star's condition improving
'Top Gear' presenter Richard Hammond has been moved out of intensive care and is making "satisfactory progress" following a high speed crash on Wednesday, doctors have confirmed. Doctors at Leeds General Infirmary said that the 36-year-old was in a "stable" condition, although he has suffered a "significant brain injury".
'Top Gear' star's condition improving
'Top Gear' presenter Richard Hammond has been moved out of intensive care and is making "satisfactory progress" following a high speed crash on Wednesday, doctors have confirmed. Doctors at Leeds General Infirmary said that the 36-year-old was in a "stable" condition, although he has suffered a "significant brain injury".
28 September 2006
'Top Gear' presenter moved from hospital
'Top Gear' presenter Richard Hammond, who suffered a brain injury in a car crash last week, has been moved from hospital in Leeds. It is believed that the presenter is being transferred to another hospital closer to his home.
'Top Gear' presenter moved from hospital
'Top Gear' presenter Richard Hammond, who suffered a brain injury in a car crash last week, has been moved from hospital in Leeds. It is believed that the presenter is being transferred to another hospital closer to his home.
06 October 2006
BBC to show Hammond crash
The BBC is planning to show a special programme about the high-speed crash in which 'Top Gear' presenter Richard Hammond nearly died, according to reports.
BBC to show Hammond crash
The BBC is planning to show a special programme about the high-speed crash in which 'Top Gear' presenter Richard Hammond nearly died, according to reports.
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