Top Gear presenter in critical condition

**The Pie Man** · 20/09/2006, 8:28 PM

Just been on 3 new channels at once, Richard Hammond from Top Gear and Brainiac has crashed while filming for Top Gear and is in a crirical condition in a Leeds hospital.

He was driving a rocket powered car at an RAF base when the accident occured.

It is believed he was traveling close to 300 MPH at the time.

I for one hope this talented presenter recovers, Sunday without Jeremy, Richard and James just wouldn't be the same. No to mention all those exploding caravans on Brainaic,

Shocked and dumbstruck is all i can say

**Pauro 76** · 20/09/2006, 8:36 PM

Not a fan of his, but hope he pulls through, you'd hate that to happen to anyone...

**LeixlipRed** · 20/09/2006, 8:38 PM

He's a bit over the top for me but I hope he recovers. 300 mph and to walk away would be some feat. Seen a few reports on the net that say he's passed away. It was on the BBC site but they've since taken it down. Hopefully it's not true

**dfx-** · 20/09/2006, 9:03 PM

Originally Posted by The Pie Man

No to mention all those exploding caravans on Brainaic,

Never mind top gear..

**dahamsta** · 20/09/2006, 9:09 PM

I wouldn't call him talented in a fit, but I hope he pulls through nonetheless.

**tricky_colour** · 20/09/2006, 9:09 PM

Says here he was able to talk after the incident, another report said he walked into the ambulance. The car pictured looks a little flimsy for the size of the engine on it, also it seems rather lacking in aerofoils to generate down force. I am also a little surprised he was allowed to drive it, more of a job for 'the Stig' I would have thought.

http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/news/up...ent-202054.php

**tricky_colour** · 20/09/2006, 9:25 PM

Not the first time he has crashed, (note Clarkeson's comments just after the crash).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OInQ-qPqqC4

**sligoman** · 20/09/2006, 10:06 PM

Hope he recovers, always enjoyed Brainiac

.

**Ringo** · 21/09/2006, 6:42 AM

'TOP GEAR' MAN STABLE
AFTER CRASH
-------------
The condition of Richard Hammond, who
is a co-presenter of the BBC motoring
programme, Top Gear, is said to have
improved overnight after he was injured
in a 300mph crash while driving a jet-
powered car during filming.

http://www.rte.ie/aertel/p108.htm

**drinkfeckarse** · 21/09/2006, 10:10 AM

Originally Posted by tricky_colour

I am also a little surprised he was allowed to drive it, more of a job for 'the Stig' I would have thought.

I don't watch Top Gear or anything like that but one of my work colleagues here said that he thinks Hammond IS "the Stig".

**dahamsta** · 21/09/2006, 10:15 AM

Does he wear stilts when he's being the Stig?

**Dodge** · 21/09/2006, 10:30 AM

There is no stig, itts loads of different people all the the time, thats why they keep it secret...

**dahamsta** · 21/09/2006, 10:49 AM

Most reports I've seen think different Dodge. The Stig for the first two series' (Black Stig) was apparently Perry McCarthy, and most people seem to think White Stig is one person too; although no-one's sure who. I'd be very surprised if it was Hammond though, because: a) he's too small; and b) he's not a good enough driver.

adam

**Dodge** · 21/09/2006, 10:58 AM

Yeah I'm only a casual "nothing else on" kinda viewer.

**Billsthoughts** · 21/09/2006, 11:48 AM

what is "the stig"?
am not into cars but top gear is always watchable...

**pineapple stu** · 21/09/2006, 12:34 PM

Originally Posted by dahamsta

Most reports I've seen think different Dodge. The Stig for the first two series' (Black Stig) was apparently Perry McCarthy, and most people seem to think White Stig is one person too; although no-one's sure who. I'd be very surprised if it was Hammond though, because: a) he's too small; and b) he's not a good enough driver.

adam

Backed up by Wikipedia.

Making an attempt on the British land speed record, according to the BBC. Serious, but stable and showing improvement. Top Gear's one of the few shows I'll religiously try and catch. Great entertainment, good craic and un-PC for once. Hope he pulls through.

Edit - Wikipedia report on the accident, which notes he was airlifted unconscious from the scene, though had been regaining consciousness after the crash. Article's been locked for editing. Apparently he had broken the record and was doing a final run for extra footage.

**ken foree** · 21/09/2006, 12:37 PM

Originally Posted by Billsthoughts

what is "the stig"?
am not into cars but top gear is always watchable...

the stig is an always-helmeted, hyper-cool, super-car test-driver, in case you wanted the over-hyphenated definition. when the presenters of top gear want someone to drive a ferrari enzo or mclaren f1 or a koeniggseg, they get the stig to do a lap in it to see which car comes out on top. or something like that.

**Schumi** · 21/09/2006, 12:41 PM

The STIG is rumoured to be Ben Collins, an F3 driver. Don't know if there's any truth in it.

**Ash** · 21/09/2006, 12:51 PM

I thought it was Stig Inge Bjornebye

**pineapple stu** · 21/09/2006, 12:55 PM

The "Stig", incidentally, stands for Student Till I Graduate. And I have a letter from the Top Gear team stating that fact after we sent in a copy with a Jeremy Clarkson Guest Column and a race from the Montrose to Bray by bike, train and bus.