Menu
23/10/2006
'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. Fifteen is normal, three is a flatline. I was a three. I was that close to being dead."
Hammond suffered a significant brain injury when he crashed the jet-powered Vampire dragster at 288mph while filming for 'Top Gear' at Elvington airfield in York on September 20.
He was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary, where, Hammond told the 'Daily Mirror', surgeons considered drilling a "bore hole" into his head in order to drain the blood from his brain to relieve the swelling. However, in the end, the operation was not deemed necessary.
However, Hammond said that the brain injury caused him to be reduced to a child-like state and said that the feeling was "utterly terrifying". He said that his mind felt like "an office that had been utterly ransacked".
The presenter said that he became obsessed with playing with Lego and the card game Top Trumps, which he said helped him to recover.
Hammond said that he had "absolutely no idea" what caused the crash.
The BBC, the police and the Health and Safety Executive are currently investigating it.
(KMcA/EF)
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. Fifteen is normal, three is a flatline. I was a three. I was that close to being dead."
Hammond suffered a significant brain injury when he crashed the jet-powered Vampire dragster at 288mph while filming for 'Top Gear' at Elvington airfield in York on September 20.
He was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary, where, Hammond told the 'Daily Mirror', surgeons considered drilling a "bore hole" into his head in order to drain the blood from his brain to relieve the swelling. However, in the end, the operation was not deemed necessary.
However, Hammond said that the brain injury caused him to be reduced to a child-like state and said that the feeling was "utterly terrifying". He said that his mind felt like "an office that had been utterly ransacked".
The presenter said that he became obsessed with playing with Lego and the card game Top Trumps, which he said helped him to recover.
Hammond said that he had "absolutely no idea" what caused the crash.
The BBC, the police and the Health and Safety Executive are currently investigating it.
(KMcA/EF)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
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.
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.
11 March 2015
Jeremy Clarkson Suspended By BBC 'Following A Fracas'
The BBC has suspended Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson, "following a fracas". It is understood that Clarkson was involved in an incident with a producer of the motoring programme, however no details have been released. The BBC confirmed that Clarkson has been suspended "pending an investigation" and Top Gear will not be aired on Sunday.
Jeremy Clarkson Suspended By BBC 'Following A Fracas'
The BBC has suspended Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson, "following a fracas". It is understood that Clarkson was involved in an incident with a producer of the motoring programme, however no details have been released. The BBC confirmed that Clarkson has been suspended "pending an investigation" and Top Gear will not be aired on Sunday.
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".
21 September 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.
'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.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Continuing cloudy through the evening with further outbreaks of rain, the rain turning lighter and patchier from the south as the night progresses. Winds remain light. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
