2000 sport

iTrader: (1)

latest update;
'We Want Hamster Back'
Updated: 13:57, Thursday September 21, 2006

Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson has been to see fellow presenter Richard Hammond who is in hospital in a serious condition after being injured in a 300mph car crash.

The 36-year-old was filming an attempt to set an unofficial British land speed record when the jet-powered dragster, called Vampire, overturned.

He was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary from Elvington airfield near York yesterday.

A hospital spokesman said Mr Hammond is being treated in a neurological unit and is now in a serious but stable condition after showing "some improvement" overnight.
Clarkson arrives at hospital
Clarkson arrives at hospital

Mr Hammond's wife Amanda and a brother are at the hospital.

Jeremy Clarkson, at the hospital, said: "James May and I are at the hospital in Leeds where Richard remains in intensive care.

"Obviously at this time both he and his family are the most important concerns we have.

"It must be devastating for his wife Mindy and his two utterly adorable children.
Police examine the dragster
Police examine the dragster

"I would just like to say how heartened Richard will be when I tell him just how many motorists and truck drivers on my way here wound down their windows to say they were rooting for him. Both James and I are looking forward to getting our hamster back."

At the airfield today the wreckage was covered with a green tarpaulin as investigations were launched into how the accident happened.

Dave Ogden, one of the first on the scene, said Hammond had been travelling at speeds close to 300mph.

"One of the parachutes had deployed but it went on to the grass and spun over and over before coming to a rest about 100 yards from us."

Sky sources understand that Top Gear co-presenter James May had been due to drive Vampire but pulled out ahead of the event.

The current British land speed record is held by Colin Fallows, from Northampton, in the car which reached 300.3mph in 2000.

jaytc2003

iTrader: (1)

I am not seeking attention, read my original post. People have then slated me for giving a (unmalicious)comment on a public forum. I am just answering back to people who are slating me for no reason.

Dream Weaver

I know you haven't slated anyone, I just don't see the point in anything you posted, or the attitude you have towards it.

Chris L

OK chaps. Enough of the mud slinging. Please can we keep this on topic? I don't really want to have to sit here and delete all the questionable posts as I do have some work to do this afternoon and I have no intention of locking this thread for obvious reasons.

davegtt

Suppose it hits home about life really, Im sat here feeling sorry myself for whatever reasons but it puts it into perspective when you see stuff like this.

Get well soon Richard, you brighten up Top Gear no end.

Sub97

What a suprise, a nice thread on scoobynet turns into petty arguing.....

TopBanana

SJ_Skyline

This is tame compared to the BBC's "have your say"

I was just having a look at the stats of the vampire - 7 to 10 gallons per mile, 0 to 272mph in 6 seconds

TopBanana - stolen from B3TA?

TopBanana

Not stolen, just appreciated

scoobfan

It's very sad, my thought's are with him and his family.

Top Gear won't be the same without our Hamster.

Rob

Clubscene

I hope Richard pulls through this and makes a speedy recovery. He always brings a smile to my face when he is on telly.

Simon

Bonehead

Sky news now saying he's suffered a "significant brain injury"

Uh oh.......

PG

Wishing him a full recovery.
To be involved in an accident at those speeds and not come away with any form of long term damage is very unlikely
The fact the car 'dug in' suggests a very sharp decelleration. His internal organs and brain would still have been traveling at circ. 300mph when hitting his skeleton as tough as someone is that is a lot for the body to take.

Spring Heeled Jack

I pity the sad, sad idiot who obviously has no heart and no compassion and has soiled this heartfelt thread with their stupidity.

From all the decent people out there, get well soon and love to the family.

Spring Heeled Jack

..

MooseRacer

BBC news saying he has a "significant brain injury". I sincerely hope the guy makes as full a recovery as possible.

Markus

He had that before the accident, as does James May, it's what you get having to deal with JC on a long term basis

TopBanana

Hopefully it is just brain swelling and nothing more traumatic. I suppose bleeding is another possibility too. Fingers crossed

David Lock

Beeb website saying

"Doctors at Leeds General Infirmary said they were "reasonably optimistic" the 36-year-old would make a good recovery."

which strikes me as a pretty good sign in the circumstances. dl

mindcontrol

Wishing him a speedy recovery and hope it all turns out good for him, all the best.

HankScorpio

A bit scary that they're saying "good" recovery and not "full" recovery.

Sincerely hope things turn out well.

Boro

iTrader: (1)

Wish him a quick and full recovery :-(

But, what the hell were the BBC thinking sticking a TV PRESENTER in a car that can exceed 300mph anyway. Its a job for professionals, not enthusiasts.

0-272mph in 6secs!!!

7 Foot

He's an adult. If he didn't want to do it he wouldn't have done it.

I'm an adult and I'd have done it, simply because I would have loved to.




My enthusiasm has dulled a little in the past 24 hours though.

Chip Sengravy

excellent!

GaryK

agree with Boro, sure he's an adult and can make his own decisions but even so you must need some preparation for it.

I wish him a full recovery, I just saw it on the autotrader site and thought it was a wind-up, quite shocked.

Gary

*Sonic*

Im actually quite amazed at a couple of events today regarding Hamster

1st one, was I got a phone call from one of the guys at work to tell me the Stig was dead, killed during a driving stunt that had gone wrong

To one poor guy in a college later this morning, came running outside shouting Richard Hammond is dead, its been confirmed

There are some really sick twisted individuals out there, as the guy who came out shouting was a special needs student, and was obviously the butt of some other students twisted sick gag, as everyone outside started to get quite upset about it, until I convinced them (after a phone call or two) that there had been no announcement, other than he is improving

I do hope he makes a speedy recovery

stilover

I noticed that too. A good recovery might mean is could talk but not walk. A full recovery mean's back to normal.

I really hope he's alright, and back presenting soon.

powerwrx

iTrader: (11)

has anyone else heard that he has broken every bone in his body,i heared it on the radio today

Boro

iTrader: (1)

What?!??

What radio station was that?

powerwrx

iTrader: (11)

cant remember if it was radio 2 or xfm, i was flicking through this morning and just heard it, i couldnt believe it.