22/09/2006

'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".

However, doctors said that they were "reasonably optimistic" that Mr Hammond would make a good recovery.

Mr Hammond was filming a segment for the BBC show, driving a jet-powered Vampire dragster, capable of reaching speeds over 300mph, when the accident happened.

According to eye witness reports, the car suddenly veered to the right and spun over several times before finally coming to rest.

Mr Hammond's wife, Amanda, is at his beside at the hospital and the presenter has also received visits from his co-hosts Jeremy Clarkson and James May.

Speaking to 'The Sun', Mr Clarkson said that Mr Hammond had smiled at him when he called him a "c**p driver."

He also told the newspaper that Mr Hammond had no visible injuries from his accident, apart from a black eye.

An investigation into the crash has been launched by the BBC, the police and the Health Executive.

Organisers of the event have said that proper safety precautions were taken.

They have also denied that Mr Hammond was trying to break the land-speed record of 300.3mph - set by Colin Fallows in the same vehicle in 2000.

(KMcA/EF)

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