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TV host 'improving' after crash
The presenter is being treated at Leeds General Infirmary
Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond is improving but remains seriously ill in hospital after he crashed a jet-powered car during filming for the BBC show.
The 36-year-old was thought to be driving at about 300mph on an airfield near York when he crashed on Wednesday.
The Health and Safety Executive and the BBC will investigate the incident.
The corporation, whose conduct is likely to be closely scrutinised, said in a statement: "We are looking into all the factors of this accident."
The statement continued: "It would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage until we know the full situation."
He has brought an awful lot to the programme
Quentin Willson, former Top Gear presenter
He was initially reported to have suffered serious head injuries and was taken to the neurological unit of Leeds General Infirmary by helicopter.
The hospital confirmed that his wife was at his bedside and, at the request of his family, no further information would be released.
Hammond was believed to be attempting to break the British land speed record, currently at 300.3mph and held by Colin Fallows driving a Vampire dragster.
Vampire
Estimated top speed: 370mph
Acceleration: 0 to 272mph in 6 seconds
Engine: Rolls Royce Orpheus
Fuel economy: 7-10 gallons per mile
Weight: 2,200 lbs (998kg)
Length: 30 feet (9.14m)
Enlarge Image
His co-presenters on the BBC Two programme, Jeremy Clarkson and James May, were also understood to be visiting their colleague at the hospital.
Top Gear has courted controversy in the past over apparently glamorising fast driving.
In 1999 a group of MPs criticised the series for being "obsessed with acceleration and speed".
Last year, lobby group Transport 2000 called for the show to be taken off the air accusing it of "glamorising speed and failing to make the connection with danger on the roads".
At the time, Hammond defended the programme, saying: "Top Gear is an entertaining show, for people that are interested in cars, that is driven by people who have been motoring journalists for many, many years."
'Breathtaking force'
Former firefighter Dave Ogden, who was working with Hammond at the Elvington airfield near York, said the team was attempting to break the land speed record.
He said the jet-powered car had done several runs when it "veered off to the right".
"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."
His crew and an ambulance rushed over and found the car upside down and "dug in" to the grass.
Mr Ogden said he felt for a pulse and heard Hammond breathing before the emergency crews worked together to turn the car the right way up and then cut him free.
"He was regaining consciousness at that point and said he had some lower back pain. But he was drifting in and out of consciousness a little bit."
Motoring expert Adam Rayner said that at those speeds the driver would experience forces similar to those endured by fighter pilots.
Experts are surveying the crash scene
"These cars accelerate at 6G - the force is breathtaking and stopping is a real difficulty," he said.
One of the show's former presenters, Quentin Willson, described Hammond as "a wonderful, unique and distinctive Top Gear presenter" but his energy may have led him to overstep the mark.
Willson added: "There is no pressure from the BBC or the producer to take undue risks.
"But that pressure is in your own head. You want to do an item on the programme which is mind-blowing."
Hammond grew up in Solihull, was educated in Yorkshire and lives near Cheltenham with his wife and children. In addition to presenting Top Gear for the BBC, he also fronted Brainiac on Sky One and had his own show on Five.
(bbc.co.uk)
I'm a big fan of both Hammond and Top Gear and hope he makes a swift and total recovery.
And my thoughts go out to his wife and daughters
Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond is improving but remains seriously ill in hospital after he crashed a jet-powered car during filming for the BBC show.
The 36-year-old was thought to be driving at about 300mph on an airfield near York when he crashed on Wednesday.
The Health and Safety Executive and the BBC will investigate the incident.
The corporation, whose conduct is likely to be closely scrutinised, said in a statement: "We are looking into all the factors of this accident."
The statement continued: "It would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage until we know the full situation."
Quentin Willson, former Top Gear presenter
He was initially reported to have suffered serious head injuries and was taken to the neurological unit of Leeds General Infirmary by helicopter.
The hospital confirmed that his wife was at his bedside and, at the request of his family, no further information would be released.
Hammond was believed to be attempting to break the British land speed record, currently at 300.3mph and held by Colin Fallows driving a Vampire dragster.
Vampire
Estimated top speed: 370mph
Acceleration: 0 to 272mph in 6 seconds
Engine: Rolls Royce Orpheus
Fuel economy: 7-10 gallons per mile
Weight: 2,200 lbs (998kg)
Length: 30 feet (9.14m)
Enlarge ImageHis co-presenters on the BBC Two programme, Jeremy Clarkson and James May, were also understood to be visiting their colleague at the hospital.
Top Gear has courted controversy in the past over apparently glamorising fast driving.
In 1999 a group of MPs criticised the series for being "obsessed with acceleration and speed".
Last year, lobby group Transport 2000 called for the show to be taken off the air accusing it of "glamorising speed and failing to make the connection with danger on the roads".
At the time, Hammond defended the programme, saying: "Top Gear is an entertaining show, for people that are interested in cars, that is driven by people who have been motoring journalists for many, many years."
'Breathtaking force'
Former firefighter Dave Ogden, who was working with Hammond at the Elvington airfield near York, said the team was attempting to break the land speed record.
He said the jet-powered car had done several runs when it "veered off to the right".
"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."
His crew and an ambulance rushed over and found the car upside down and "dug in" to the grass.
Mr Ogden said he felt for a pulse and heard Hammond breathing before the emergency crews worked together to turn the car the right way up and then cut him free.
"He was regaining consciousness at that point and said he had some lower back pain. But he was drifting in and out of consciousness a little bit."
Motoring expert Adam Rayner said that at those speeds the driver would experience forces similar to those endured by fighter pilots.
"These cars accelerate at 6G - the force is breathtaking and stopping is a real difficulty," he said.
One of the show's former presenters, Quentin Willson, described Hammond as "a wonderful, unique and distinctive Top Gear presenter" but his energy may have led him to overstep the mark.
Willson added: "There is no pressure from the BBC or the producer to take undue risks.
"But that pressure is in your own head. You want to do an item on the programme which is mind-blowing."
Hammond grew up in Solihull, was educated in Yorkshire and lives near Cheltenham with his wife and children. In addition to presenting Top Gear for the BBC, he also fronted Brainiac on Sky One and had his own show on Five.
(bbc.co.uk)
I'm a big fan of both Hammond and Top Gear and hope he makes a swift and total recovery.
And my thoughts go out to his wife and daughters
I do hope he recovers quickly and completely 
