Richard Hammond (Top Gear) in critical state

[Omaroo]

For thoose that watch Top Gear :(


Top Gear presenter hurt

From correspondents in London
September 21, 2006 07:27am

Article from: Press Association


TOP Gear presenter Richard Hammond has been injured in an accident while filming an edition of the programme, the BBC said.
Hammond, who often drives high-performance cars as part of presenting the show, has been taken to hospital following the incident at an airfield near York.

A BBC spokeswoman said: "The incident happened quite recently and the focus of our attention is on Richard at this stage. "We will make further details known as soon as they are available."

Inspector Mike Thompson, of North Yorkshire Police, said officers were dealing with the incident at the airfield north-east of York.

He said: "At 5.45pm (on Wednesday) evening we received a report via the fire service of a male person trapped in what was described as an overturned jet car which had been driven on the airfield.

"The male occupant has received serious injuries and has been airlifted to hospital at Leeds." He said no further details were available at this time.

Hammond was in a "critical" condition at Leeds General Infirmary, a hospital spokesman said. The 36-year-old presenter was in a special neurological unit.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman confirmed the accident happened on Elvington airfield, which is seven miles to the south-east of the city.

He said the presenter was filming an episode of Top Gear at the airfield at the time.

The spokesman added: "Relatives have been informed and are en route to the hospital itself."


Top Gear airs in Australia on SBS.

[dobbo]

Thats not good, I hope we don't have another!

[Maggot4x4]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/avdb/news_web/video/9012da680052158/nb/09012da6800521b3_16x9_nb.asx

&

http://news.sky.com/skynews/video/videoplayer/0,,30000-hammond_200906_2200,00.html

[Omaroo]

Maggot - how did you come across Wooders? He's an old Jeep club nut friend of mine.

[Utemad]

Wooders wrote:If ya want a 4x4 camry go ahead & buy a Patrol or Cruiser.


Maggot - how did you come across Wooders? He's an old Jeep club nut friend of mine.

That was a quote from Outerlimits. Oh my God it is so sad that I know that :(

[Maggot4x4]

Outerlimits.

Long time member there.

[walker]

I sure hope the guy is going to be ok. I reckon he really makes Top Gear the great show that it is and bounces so well off Clarkson.

[boggo]

Sad news of course,but when you play with fire.............................

[Omaroo]

I sure hope the guy is going to be ok. I reckon he really makes Top Gear the great show that it is and bounces so well off Clarkson.

Yes, he makes a great sidekick for Clarkson, that's for sure.

He's also the most articulate presenter I've heard in ages. His narratives are just so easy to listen to as he comes though as authoratative yet in no way condescending. His tone is spot on and his piece on the Land Rover is testament.

[Maggot4x4]

New reports have his condition moved from critical to stable

[Quiggers]

There's some info here:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3804514a1860,00.html

Go the hamster! Hope he makes it thru.

GQ

[Omaroo]

New reports have his condition moved from critical to stable
Thank goodness. He's just been (in high-pitched old womans voice) "a very naughty boy!"

They really shouldn't go playing with jet-powered cars methinks.....


It is understood that the 5000hp Vampire jet car was travelling at 450km/h when the crash occured.

[Redback]

I hope he comes out of this OK, the best of the 3 i think.

Baz.

[timberwolf_302]

Yeah, he is a great part of the Top gear Trio. He was also entertaining on Brainiac.

When I first spotted this thread, I thought the worst. What a Relief he is stable. I'm getting sick of these good people getting killed.

Why don't some of the assholes of the world get written off for a change????

That song is so true "Only the good die young".

[Quiggers]

"He's not dead yet."

where did that line come from?

[Captain_Rightfoot]

This is devastating. I hope he makes a full recovery... but it doesn't sound very promising :(

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/north_yorkshire/5365676.stm

[Dinty]

G'day All, Richard Hammond is also a Land Rover owner and an enthusiast to boot, hoping he fully recovers cheers Dennis:wasntme:

[Captain_Rightfoot]

G'day All, Richard Hammond is also a Land Rover owner and an enthusiast to boot, hoping he fully recovers cheers Dennis:wasntme:
I **really** hope he does. It's encouraging that he was conscious at the scene. Not encouraging that he has "head injuries" or that he needs a neurosurgeon :(

[CraigE]

I hope he pulls through OK, depending on injuries.
:(

[Omaroo]

"He's not dead yet."

where did that line come from?

Holy Grail :)

[Phoenix]

Hopefully he pulls through.

[rangieman]

fingers crossed please not another one:eek:

[Outlaw]

"He's not dead yet."

where did that line come from?
Star Trek ;)

[Quiggers]

Wading thru the maelstrom of old news bull from the British tabloids, and equally hopeless tv operators, it appears as tho' the Hamster is banged up...but not tooooo badly...but in these instances, some (lots of?) journos resort to the standard cliches without checking the facts...we should get some proper reports later tonight,

anyone in the UK here, to shed some light and real facts for us?

[amtravic1]

I hope he is ok. Top gear is the most entertaining show on TV, closely followed by Rockwiz.

[LoadedDisco]

I sure hope the guy is going to be ok. I reckon he really makes Top Gear the great show that it is and bounces so well off Clarkson.


You are spot on both men make the show with there off beat humour, I hope he will pull through ok.
We dont need any more funerals this month.

[matbor]

an update....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/north_yorkshire/5367616.stm (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/north_yorkshire/5367616.stm)

and a picture of what happened...

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2006/09/166.jpg

Matt.

[VladTepes]

I hope he is ok. Top gear is the most entertaining show on TV, closely followed by Rockwiz.

Agreed on both points. I hope he is OK. I love that show and he is an integral part of it.

And yes as his pice on the LR being the best car ever attests, he is a fan.

And I think I know why...



The presenter, who works on Top Gear with fellow hosts Jeremy Clarkson and James May, grew up in Solihull, was educated in Yorkshire and lives near Cheltenham with his wife and children.

[solmanic]

Here's an article from the Daily Telegraph with interviews with James May and Jeremy Clarkson.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/09/22/nhammond122.xml

[scrambler]

Just read that last one. If the doctor's haven't got him sedated to unconsciousness there's no really significant brain damage. It sounds mostly cosmetic - though that can be bad enough.

Steve

[Captain_Rightfoot]

Jalopnik (http://www.jalopnik.com/) are covering this really well with lots of updates. It's a great site that one. :)

[moose]

Hamster seems to be recovering well:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/09/23/nhammond23.xml

From James May
"Although I said he seemed to be doing OK yesterday, his voice wasn't right," he said.
"When I got to his room today, however, he immediately insulted me in his loud, squeaky voice which shows he is making excellent progress.
"His powers of recovery are little short of amazing. I've left him a classic car magazine and I fully expect him to have purchased another heap of old rust when I return to see him in a couple of days."

"He added that Hammond, 36, was able to sit up in bed and speak to his mother and father "in a perfectly normal voice".
With assistance, he was then able to have a "wobbly walk around".

[VladTepes]

SOunds like he'll be ok then. WE can only hope.

Get well Hamster !

(Which makes me wonder is there somewhere we could send an "official" AULRO GET WELL SOON message to him ? Email address or perhaps care of the show ?

[Blknight.aus]

SOunds like he'll be ok then. WE can only hope.

Get well Hamster !

(Which makes me wonder is there somewhere we could send an "official" AULRO GET WELL SOON message to him ? Email address or perhaps care of the show ?


goto the top gear website they had one set up ages ago now.

[solmanic]

Here is a recent article from the Times online which sounds like Richard Hammond is recovering well and going to be quite OK.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2371688,00.html

[Ace]

Yeah i heard he was going to make a full recover. Clarkson said in an interview that it would have to be close to the fastest ever crash. I for one cant thing of one happening at a higher speed. Matt

[Quiggers]

He's a very lucky hamster and I read where he was up and about after 30 hours.

Fastest crash? If my memory still works:

Bonneville Salt Falts Utah circa 1963/64?

Craig Breedlove, Land Speed Record, 'chutes failed at 600mph. 10 miles later he ditched in a pool of lime and survived. Walt and Art Arfons have both had roll overs above 500 mph. 'Our' Rosco MacGlashan from Perth (g'day Rosco) had a serious moment in Aussie Invader at Lake Gairdner about 8 years ago at about 600km/h. Rosco was white as a sheet, unusual for him.


One of the other WLSR attempts by, I think, Gary Gabelich, was a different type of accident. Apparently he went supersonic on the hero run one way and said he'd never do it again: WLSR rules say that for a record, the run has to be two ways and the second, not later than an hour of the first.
Gary had brown undies, i suspect. So would I...

Richard Noble had a pretty damning shot at Hamster after his 'mishap'. It's very interesting, if a little callous...

But glad to see Richard Hammond is getting better - wonder if his family will approve of any more Top Gear 'antics'.

Hamster: Hi honey, guess what I'm going to do today.

Mrs Hamster: No you're not! You're in the moke!

Cheers, GQ

[hiline]

thats the thing GQ will he well well enough in the end

to go back to Top Gear fingers crossed he will be :D

he's a funny little hampster

[Quiggers]

You're right hiline.

Might get the record for fastest British run and the fastest British crash!

Poms love their claim to British records.

Can't wait to see Top Gear, when the footage is officially put on air, the crash will be minor in comparison to the payout the Hamster will get from Jeremy Clarkson.


GQ

[hiline]

You're right hiline.

Might get the record for fastest British run and the fastest British crash!

Poms love their claim to British records.

Can't wait to see Top Gear, when the footage is officially put on air, the crash will be minor in comparison to the payout the Hamster will get from Jeremy Clarkson.


GQ


what crash :D

[Pedro_The_Swift]

you gotta love this---
http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/news/richard-hammonds-injuries-force-top-gears-indefinite-postponement-clarkson-gets-ready-for-battle-202848.php

[Captain_Rightfoot]

Already they are talking that top gear may be suspended while they have a think about it.

top gear suspension (http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/news/richard-hammonds-injuries-force-top-gears-indefinite-postponement-clarkson-gets-ready-for-battle-202848.php)

[Frenchie]

http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news?id=22799

[dobbo]

Video footage of Hamsters high speed crash and roll

http://video.google.com.au/videoplay'docid=1569125216323959688&q=hamster+in+wheel

[rocky2509]

:D :D :D :D :D Classic

[Ace]

It would be a shame to lose such a quality show just because of something like that. The producer and Clarkson have said they will quit if they try and tame the show. Matt

[Quiggers]

I'm going to get you dobbo!

I've laughed out loud twice in the last five minutes!

You win!

Poor hamster....

I've just looked at that another five times, hahahahahahahahahaha!

Please send it to top gear...

If they haven't seen it already, Clarkson and May would be all over the floor! (bit like the hamster, the look on its face is priceless!)

cheers, GQ

[Quiggers]

Now I've got tears in my eyes, that's sooooooo funny!

That run lasted about as long a Hammonds and had the same result, genius!

I'm going to get and put it on a continuous loop, and show it to anyone who thinks they're having a bad day!

thanks dobbo!

GQ

not again! hamster in space!

[dobbo]

It's beautiful isn't it

[VladTepes]

Richard Hammond
As you'll be aware, our friend and colleague Richard Hammond was seriously hurt recently while recording an item for Top Gear. Richard was treated for a brain injury at a hospital in Leeds and has now been transferred to a hospital near his home in Bristol. He continues to make very good progress.
An internet campaign to raise money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) has so far raised more than £188,000. Richard's family has asked that rather than send flowers, they would love people donate money to YAA so they can continue to save lives. A link to the donation site is available in the news stories below.
We'd like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your messages for Richard. The whole production team is incredibly touched by your kind words and, like you, we're all thoroughly looking forward to Richard making a full recovery.
We're keeping every message of support, and will make sure Richard gets to see them all. If you'd like to add your support, you can email us your message.
The next series of Top Gear was due to start on 8 October. This has now been postponed. As soon as we have a new start date we'll let you know.


The wwebsite section for the Hamster is at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/topgear/richard_hammond.shtml




'Six-month recovery' for Hammond
Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond, who crashed in a jet-powered car, could be "back to his old self" within six months, according to his neurologist.
Mr Hammond seemed in good spirits as he was moved from a Leeds hospital to another in Bristol, near his home.
Neurosurgeon Stuart Ross said rest could help Mr Hammond recover from his "brain injury" within months. The presenter was treated for a brain injury at Leeds General Infirmary, after crashing while filming the show.


Mr Ross - the presenter's consultant neurosurgeon - said "there is no getting around" the fact that his patient has a "significant brain injury".
However, he said the TV star, who is a married father-of-two, was "doing well".
Recovery period
Mr Ross went on: "There comes a period now which is unfortunately slow and is difficult to get through. But there comes a period when he has to get over the injury.
"He has to rest and allow his brain to recover and that takes time. I'm sure that once that period is over he will be back to his old self."


When asked when that might be, Mr Ross suggested a timeframe of about six months.
Mike Lindley, operations manager at Yorkshire Air Ambulance which moved Mr Hammond from the Leeds hospital, said: "His recovery is absolutely remarkable.
"He was sort of talking to the crew, sort of laughing and joking, although he was a bit unstable on his feet."
Mr Lindley estimated he would be nearly back to normal in two or three weeks.
The presenter had been driving a jet-powered dragster similar to the Vampire used by Colin Fallows to set the British land speed record of 300.3 mph.
'Ribbing'
He had to be cut free after the car "veered off to the right" and its parachutes opened during the drive, during the crash last Wednesday.
The 36-year-old, from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, has since received hundreds of cards and flowers from well-wishers.
In the days after the crash, Mr Hammond said he was so overwhelmed with flowers he was worried he could be "in for some ribbing from fellow Top Gear presenters Jeremy Clarkson and James May".
He will now continue his recovery in the Bupa hospital in Clifton, Bristol.
A BBC spokeswoman confirmed that the final part of the Best Of Top Gear, which was due to be screened on 1 October, had been postponed indefinitely.
Police and the Health and Safety Executive are continuing to investigate the crash.

[Quiggers]

This popped into my inbox this morning, just thought I'd pass it on for Top Gear and Hamster fans:

Richard Hammond back behind the wheel
13 November 2006


by Adrian Hearn
Top Gear star Richard Hammond is back behind the wheel – just two months after his 288mph horror smash.
Hammond, 36, took wife Mindy for a spin near their Gloucestershire home, after passing two hours of mental reasoning, memory and problem-solving tests to get his driving license back.
‘The Hamster’ has amazed doctors with his speedy recovery. Two months ago, he was in a critical condition in Leeds Royal Infirmary after losing control of a jet-powered Vampire dragster.
And the popular presenter couldn’t hold back his delight. Afterwards he told the Daily Mirror: “As I got into the driving seat it felt like I was back where I belonged.
“It felt like passing my test again. I have really missed driving and the freedom that comes with it.”
The TV star stuck to a more moderate speed, not going over 50mph in his classically styled 2005 Morgan sports car.

[VladTepes]

I'll bet he drove his Defender next !

[sschmez]

From carsguide.com.au:


14 December 2006

Only four months ago he was in an intensive care ward and suffering a serious brain injury following a crash at almost 480Km/hr, but this week Top Gear's popular presenter Richard Hammond celebrated his first day back on the set of the popular BBC TV series and attended the show's Car Of The Year award ceremony.


see the whole article here:
http://carsguide.news.com.au/story/0,20384,20926180-21822,00.html

[solmanic]

Well, my details are (and have been for sometime) registered with the Applause Store who co-ordinate tickets for studio filming of Top Gear. With the late start to the series that means they will still be filming when I am there in March. I can only hope that my number comes up and the planets align so I may get a couple of passes to the show.

[matbor]

just heard..... January 28th 2007 is when it will be back on the air again.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/topgear/

Matt.