TOPGEAR Richard Hammond

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samuri-240

Well-Known Forum User
SeanDezart said:
That's what happens when Hamsters drive supercars...:(
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What a dreadful comment, then what do you expect from someone who lives in Frog Land.

Most of us hope Richard Hamster makes a complete recovery from this.
 
Markp.com

Markp.com

Well-Known Forum User
Still reporting the same... but if its a significant brain injury you can expect a long recovery time... so the next series of top gear will probably be delayed...
 
ZHead

ZHead

Well-Known Forum User
found this on the web...

Doctors are hopeful that Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond will make a good recovery after suffering a "significant brain injury'' in a high-speed jet car crash.
The 36-year-old star remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital after the 370mph jet-powered car he was driving crashed on Wednesday.
Friends and family are keeping a bedside vigil at Leeds General Infirmary.
Hammond was airlifted to hospital after the record-breaking Vampire dragster veered off the runway, flipped over several times and crashed on to grass at Elvington airfield near York.
Doctors said Hammond's injury gave them "cause for concern'' but added that they were "reasonably optimistic'' he would make a good recovery.
Meanwhile, Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson paid tribute to father-of-two Hammond as he visited him in Leeds with co-presenter James May.
"I said, 'The reason you're here is because you're a crap driver'. He then smiled at me. It was an amazing moment, very moving" - Jeremy Clarkson



Clarkson revealed that he had made Hammond smile during the visit by calling him "a crap driver''.
He told The Sun: "He was lying peacefully with a black eye but didn't react so I tried something else.
"I said, 'The reason you're here is because you're a crap driver'. He then smiled at me. It was an amazing moment, very moving.''
Police and safety experts are investigating the crash, which happened after Hammond had been driving at speeds close to 300mph as part of filming.
May was originally due to drive the Vampire for the programme, but switched places with his colleague ahead of the event.
May said: "Despite everything he's been through he still seems like the Richard I know and love.''
Organisers - who have denied reports that Hammond was trying to break the British land speed record - said the "highest'' safety standards had been followed in preparation for filming.
Primetime Land Speed Engineering, which is jointly run by the current British land speed record holder Colin Fallows, said they were "deeply shocked'' by the accident.
Spokesman Malcolm Pittwood said he did not know how fast Hammond was going when he crashed but he was less than half way down the 1.8-mile runway when the accident happened.
Keith King, a principal inspector with the Health & Safety Executive, said the HSE would be looking at the preparation and planning for the event.
 
datsun dave

datsun dave

Club Member
Just been on the news that he has been moved out of IC and into another ward so Great News he must be getting better.
 
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Sam_C

Club Member
In my day job I fly the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, and was part of the crew who picked Richard up. We flew him the 20 or so miles from Elvington to Leeds General in 12 minutes. During the trip he was combative and disorientated, which is the norm for head injuries. However, he was talking and trying to remove the oxygen mask, which is a good indication. Apparantly he has no bleeding in the brain (major concern with this type of injury), it is now a case of how much bruising was caused as his brain was thrown around inside his skull - we weren't designed to decelerate from 300 to zero in a matter of a few seconds.

It's amazing how well liked Richard is - a charity website set up via (I think) Petrolheads to donate to the Air Ambulance has already reached over £30,000 - nearer £40,000 when the government gift aid is included.

Maybe I can persuade the charity trustees to use the money to buy one of the Fourways Z's and kit it out as a Rapid Response Vehicle....although I don't think Clarkson would be too keen on that!
 
SeanDezart

SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
To be the bureaucrat ; what qualifications has R. 'Hamster' Hammond for being in that 'car' in the first place ?

I completly sympathise with his family and wish him a full recovery in the shortest possible delay.

That said, it seemed to be a typical Top Gear 'stunt, a sort of 'The Sun' attitude to television journalism ! I don't say he deserved it and all that they do is entertaining however, I think the BBC should consider at what price !

Being square over and done with - smiling is the best way to overcome tradegy !
 
ZHead

ZHead

Well-Known Forum User
Sam_C said:
In my day job I fly the Yorkshire Air Ambulance /quote]

Sam you Guys in healthcare are astounding. We would often be f****d without help from people like you. Thanks ! I speak from very close personal experience. :bow: :bow:

Whilst Hamster is well paid and well set up anyway, the whole donation idea will show massive support from Petrolheads generally. If Clarkson put out an appeal "stump up a tenner" to all the Top Gear viewers I bet they would raise literally millions. £10 from one million car nuts..........
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richiep

richiep

Club Member
I am also a member of the Pistonheads forum where the fundraising initiative started from. Its been amazing watching the development of the thread on there about Hamster. Originally the intention was to raise £340 - apparently the cost of the rescue flight. By late-morning yesterday they had paid for a day's worth of operation (circa £3.5k). Its utterly brilliant that it is now heading for £40k and serves as a really positive demonstration of community and solidarity amongst this country's often beleaguered car enthusiasts.

There's embryonic discussions developing about the concept of a "Hoon for Hamster" type event or gathering. One hope is that an event could be organized around Hamster (when he is in the position health-wise) handing over the donation to the YAA. This could be a great mass event for car clubs and enthusiasts of all types (except Caravan clubs of course...) if it comes to fruitition. I would certainly go along (just hope its far enough in the future for me to get the Z back together!! :D )

Oh and Sam C - :bow: and thanks for the extra info!
 
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Sam_C

Club Member
Cheers guys and thanks for all the support. Tony is quite right about the lack of Governmental support, but the Great British Public are fantastic at supporting all the AA units throughout the country, God bless 'em.
 
Russ

Russ

Club Member
Yeh was just going to make a point that if there were a collective petrol head whip round for AA, it should be for AA in general, not just the Yorkshire based one :)

Is there a central fund for this kinda thing, or are all AA very seperate operations?
 
ThwartedEfforts

ThwartedEfforts

Forum User
Just dropped in to say that Sam's post has been quoted on numerous auto forums round the globe. I know Yorkshiremen are prone to straight talking so be careful what you say :)

Tony 260Z said:
1978 260Z 2-str (partly rebuilt and restored)
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Tone if that's "partly rebuilt and restored" then the pair of old Hitachi carbs I Hammerited blue and mounted on the wall are "immaculately clean and unused"
 
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Sam_C

Club Member
Cheers Thwarted.

Fortunately my post only contained information which has already been disseminated both by ourselves at the YAA to the local media and by the "medical men" on the telly.

But point taken nonetheless!
 
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