Richard Hammond

[PsychoSaiya-jin]

On Thursday, BBC presenter Richard "Hamster" Hammond was in a serious car crash at over 250mph in a jet-powered dragster as part of some record attempt.
Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond remains seriously ill in hospital after a crash in a jet-powered car while filming for the BBC programme.

The 36-year-old was taken by air ambulance to Leeds General Infirmary's neurological unit on Wednesday.

A hospital spokesman said: "He has seen some improvement overnight, but remains in a serious but stable condition."

Mr Hammond had been in a dragster-style car capable of reaching speeds of about 300mph at Elvington airfield near York.

The hospital said his wife was at his bedside and, at the request of his family, no more information would be released.

The crash will be investigated by the Health and Safety Executive and the BBC.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/north_yorkshire/5365676.stm

He's a popular guy, best loved for his crazy stuff on Top Gear and Brainiac.
Especially his work with caravans:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Z_KiXnyoXuQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3yk2nCSpFA&NR

Best wishes to him and I hope he gets well soon.

[Datsun]

Well, after only a few days after the accident, the doctors seem pretty optimistic that he'll make a full recovery, as he seems to be talking and walking and doing everything else in a normal fashion... which is actually rather miraculous given the speed he may have been going.

However, the knock-on effect is that the show Top Gear is being heavily critisized for its part in this and might actually be cancelled as a result, though I'm not sure how likely that is, coz Clarkson, James and Hammond himself wouldn't have a bar of it.

Personally, I think that they all seem like smart enough guys to know what sort of risks they're taking for each stunt, that any action taken against them based on this accident is ridiculous.

[Kain]

Get well, Hamster. I have money on Hammond going out by Jeremy Clarkson stepping on him, so I can't lose this bet.

[Ritalin]

However, the knock-on effect is that the show Top Gear is being heavily critisized for its part in this and might actually be cancelled as a result, though I'm not sure how likely that is, coz Clarkson, James and Hammond himself wouldn't have a bar of it.

There have been serious/semi-serious accidents in the past on Top Gear with previous hosts. The show has been going on for far too long, and its success makes it hard to think the BBC would cancel anytime soon.

[Major Tom]

I read about this a couple days ago in the militaryphotos.net forums, where the discussion quickly descended as to whether it should be 'he crashed a jet car at about 300mph', or that 'he crashed a jet car at about 300mph'.

Still, this is sad news, as Top Gear, and it's current batch of loons is a really good show. I can say that because I have no interest in cars otherwise, but I love watching this show.

It's good to hear that he's recovering, though, and even better at the prospects of a full recovery. He'll be up and renting death on 4 wheels in no time.

[PsychoSaiya-jin]

I love Top Gear because it's current form is about what is actually interesting about cars; lunacy and passionate madness combined with some form of engineering.
The people that critisised Top Gear for this are the same set of complainers that are always looking for something to rant about. They primarily choose Top Gear because of its brand name rather than actually watching the show.
I understand that this show won't be cancelled but there may not be many more series' of TG left purely because, as the presenters themselves have said, they don't want to get to the point where they've run out of ideas.

I also hope to see a return of Hamster to Brainiac, a show which has managed to make science interesting in ways not seen since Johnny Ball and How2. Who else is going to help out John Tickle while he walks about on custard? :D

Recent news has indicated he's recovering remarkably well but I hope that he'll become well enough to be allowed to return to finish off what he's started [the show of course].
Hoping for no lasting symptoms:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZlKedBsYTfY

[Manga_Creator]

Delivering the papers on my round and seeing that Hamster has had a crash I was shocked I think the bloke is brilliant anyway a couple days later Hes eating Corn Flakes "GREAT TO HEAR"

lol. Its not funny but I love the things he does but this was kinda dumb stepping in at the last minute and not being prepared. But I knew all along hed be okay hes the Hamster!!!

I KNEW HAMSTER WAS OKAY

He's now walking yay

Andy