Richard Hammond (Top Gear) Accident

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Richard Hammond, the Top Gear presenter was critically injured today after crashing in a jet-powered car while filming for the programme, the BBC announced. The 36-year-old presenter was taken by air ambulance to a hospital in Leeds which has a special neurological unit.

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My friend sent me a text about this. Im so mega upset! She told me he may have brain damage if he recovers. His poor wife is away traveling at the moment. They were filming in York when the accident happened.

I just cant believe it. I think Top Gear will be coming off the air for this. No more Brainiac either, very sad.

http://www.skyone.co.uk/images/progr.../cast1_big.jpg

Richard Hammond gave me untold amounts of hilarity on Brainiac over the years, and from what I've read is a really nice bloke. I don't know how much celebrity nice-guy deaths I can take in one month. :(

Here's hoping for a full recovery.

That sucks :(

Oh God, that's horrible. Let's hope he makes the fullest possible recovery.

I occasionally watch Top Gear, and I always like his segments the best. I hope he's back to his best soon.

Just to give you an update guys:

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Originally Posted by BBC

TV host 'improving' after crash - Richard Hammond

The presenter is being treated at Leeds General Infirmary. Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond is improving but remains seriously ill in hospital after he crashed a jet-powered car during filming for the BBC show.

The 36-year-old was thought to be driving at about 300mph on an airfield near York when he crashed on Wednesday.

The Health and Safety Executive and the BBC will investigate the incident.

The corporation, whose conduct is likely to be closely scrutinised, said in a statement: "We are looking into all the factors of this accident."

The statement continued: "It would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage until we know the full situation."

The Leeds General Infirmary, where Hammond was taken by helicopter, said his wife was at his bedside and, at the request of his family, no further information would be released.

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So he is improving, but sadly hes not out of the woods yet. Prayers are with him and his family.

just heard about it, im really shocked, he is really lucky he managed to survive :choc:

Yeah, I was shocked at the news, he was always the funniest guy on the show and was one of the reasons I watched the show, thank god he wasnt killed, so many celebrity deaths recently :(

due thats so sad i read it in the newspaper this morning and it really annoys me that its always the nice guys that finish last! btw what you people mean about loads of nice guy deaths this month?

They mean that there have been afew celeb deaths lately. But yeah Steve Irwin, Anna Nicole's son Daniel (if you would call him a celeb), Chris Penn (really upset me), Al Lewis (Grandpa from the Munsters) and Peter Benchley who wrote Jaws.

Maybe it's some hitman going on a rampage?!

Oh my god!

Top Gear is the coolest Brit show on Aussie free-to-air, I reckon. This is sad news. :(

Really hope he pulls through. He's really quite a funny guy. Very lucky to survive though from what I understand.

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Originally Posted by ~SapphireStar~

They mean that there have been afew celeb deaths lately. But yeah Steve Irwin, Anna Nicole's son Daniel (if you would call him a celeb), Chris Penn (really upset me), Al Lewis (Grandpa from the Munsters) and Peter Benchley who wrote Jaws.

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Australia also lost one of its motor racing legends, Peter Brock, recently

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Originally Posted by Reine

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Originally Posted by ~SapphireStar~

They mean that there have been afew celeb deaths lately. But yeah Steve Irwin, Anna Nicole's son Daniel (if you would call him a celeb), Chris Penn (really upset me), Al Lewis (Grandpa from the Munsters) and Peter Benchley who wrote Jaws.

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Australia also lost one of its motor racing legends, Peter Brock, recently

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Brocky! :cry: That was a real shock. Just like Richard Hammond, you know that he's doing something dangerous but you assume he's going to make it through every time. He was just such a big name in Australian motor racing. :(

In the past year or so, I've expanded my enjoyment of motor sport to Formula One, WRC, Moto GP and to a certain extent, NASCAR. The Australian V8 Supercars series wasn't as interesting for me anymore but with the death of Brocky, I've been pulled back into it.

I died inside when I heard about that. I love him :love:

This must be some kind of Celebrity Death/Near Death Year.

I heard about this yesterday; it truly is terrible. It was even worse because yesterday his status was critical. I was relieved to hear today that he is stable. I hope there isn't any permanent damage to prevent him from living his life normally.

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Maybe it's some hitman going on a rampage?!

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Sorry, tried to see the funny side, but I cant see a funny side in accidents and death.

I heard about this last night. I hope he'll be alright. :(

Update:

Richard has a significant brain injury, but they seem optimitisc bout recovery at the moment. I dont have a working TV at the mo, so my mate in Leeds is keeping me posted.

God i didn't know, that's terrible, i used to enjoy watching him on TV. Hope everything goes okay for him..

Hope he turns out ok, I liked watching him on Top Gear. Its good he didnt die, I mean, first Irwin then Hammond. Thats too much to take. Good to hear hes on a good recovery.

Ahh, not Richard Hammond!!!

Why doesn't the Celebrity Hitman pick on someone who kills puppies instead of all the nice people! Poor guy, I hope he recovers entirely...

I heard we was going over 500 miles per hour!!!

Struth ruth.

Considering the guy was going at well over 300MPH it's testament to the design of the vehicle (or sheer fluke) that he even survived. He's been taken down to "stable" condition (meaning his life is no longer in immediate risk), and has acknowledged others around him meaning his cognitive abilities don't seem to be impaired just yet. All in all it's looking very positive.

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Originally Posted by roxy

I heard we was going over 500 miles per hour!!!

Struth ruth.

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You heard wrong. He was going at around 300 mph. :bigsmile:
Still pretty darned fast.

I really like him, hope he gets better :(. Jeremy Clarkson and James May (fellow Topgear presenters) were allowed to go see him, and the latter says he had a proper (albeit short) conversation with Richard! I understand that usually only close relatives are permitted to visit patients if the situation is extremely serious, so maybe it isn't as bad as most people think. Again, here's hoping he makes a speedy recovery!

According to today's news, he's not in intensive care any more, which is surely a good sign. However, his Family are still at his bedside nursing him, according to reports.

Sound like he's on his way to recovery. Fingers crossed, eh?

Yeah, everything seems to be going well. He's been extremely lucky, but of course a lot of credit must go to the car's designers, and the excellent work of the doctors who've been treating him. It's amazing that a person can even survive an accident like this, let alone be making such quick steps towards recovery.

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I just cant believe it. I think Top Gear will be coming off the air for this. No more Brainiac either, very sad.

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I dont think so. They were making so much money off it that they will find new hosts.

Poor guy, hope he makes a full recovery!

No, no, no, no!!! Why him?! He always makes me laugh and he’s the main reason why I watch Top Gear… I really hope he fully recovers. Best of wishes to him :kiss:

Just thought I should add this: Shortly after Hammond was lifted to a hospital by the Air Ambulances, a website was constructed requesting donations to the Air Ambulances. After only 1 and a half hours, over £4000 had been raised! :eek: I just thought that was amazing!

His condition is still unknown, I wouldnt assume hes fine because docters are saying hes making a recovery. And although grim, theres still the possibility that he'll die from his injuries. Its very likely if he does recover, that he'll step down from Top Gear. What everyone seems to hope is that he'll make a full recovery and be on our screens by next year, im sorry, but thats very very unlikely.

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Originally Posted by Worldwide

According to his Top Gear co-presenter Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond is making strides and getting better as Hammond recovers in Leeds General Infirmary.
Clarkson is said to be relieved as Hammond walks again, and Hammond is said to make a full recovery in hospital following his horrific rocket propelled accident in his dragster.

The Sun is reporting that Hammond's condition has improved to the extent that he may be transferred to a general medical ward very soon. Hammond, 36, got to his feet and walked, just 30 hours after the crash, his co-presenter Jeremy Clarkson said.

Hammond, who has been moved out of intensive care, had not lost his sense of humor and, according to The Sun, said to his other co-presenter James May, also visiting him in hospital, "Hello C**kface."

Worldwide support and interest in Hammond's recovery has been pouring in, bolstering friends and family gathered at Leeds General Infirmary where they have keeping a vigil following Wednesday's accident at Elvington airfield, near York.

The BBC has released no further information about the events leading up to the crash. The Daily Mirror reports hammond's wife saying: "He's spoken and smiled. It's early days and what has happened hasn't really sunk in for him.

"But he's starting to look like Richard again. He's tough as hell and on his way back."

She added: "The whole family is overwhelmed by everyone's support. There have been so many flowers, cards and emails from around the world.

"To know that so many people love him is astounding. We want to thank everyone for their good wishes and prayers."

Clarkson, a columnist for The Sun, said in the newspaper: "In the wee small hours of Thursday night, just 30 hours after what is almost certainly the world's fastest ever car crash, Richard Hammond suddenly sat up in bed opened his eyes and asked what had happened.

"'You've been in a car accident', I said. 'Was I driving like a tw*t?' he asked. Before getting out of bed and walking shakily to the lavatory."

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Originally Posted by ITV News

The next series of Top Gear has been postponed until presenter Richard Hammond has recovered.

The 36-year-old has been moved to a general ward after spending time in intensive care recovering from a brain injury he suffered in a high-speed accident while filming for the programme.

The series was due to begin on October 8.

A BBC statement read: "We would not think of finalising plans for the next series without discussing it with everyone involved.

"When it is suitable, the team will do this and we will announce a new transmission date."

The presenter is still at Leeds General Infirmary.

A hospital spokesman said: "He is continuing to do well."

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I'm so happy that's he's feeling better - thanks for posting, that just saved my day.

My dad's been checking Teletext every five minutes to check he's still alive :p

I hope he gets better. He's awesome. :(

On a completely unrelated note, Richard Hammond totally looks like David Tennant.

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On a completely unrelated note, Richard Hammond totally looks like David Tennant.

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Im not the only one who thinks this! Yippee! Oh and dont mention it The Real Dark Messenger. Im just gald Im keeping you guys informed.

Oh no!

He lives! HEEEE LIIIIIVES!

Yay! The doctors say there's a large chance that he will recover fully in a matter of months, no brain damage or anything! He's one amazing guy! :)