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TV host 'followed safety rules' TV presenter suffers brain injury
(about 2 hours later)
Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond was observing the highest safety standards before the jet-powered car he was driving crashed, event organisers say. Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond has suffered a "significant brain injury" after crashing a jet-powered car at speeds of up to 300mph during filming.
Primetime Land Speed Engineering also denied reports that Hammond was trying to break the British land speed record. Doctors at Leeds General Infirmary said they were "reasonably optimistic" the 36-year-old would make a good recovery.
The 36-year-old, seriously ill in a Leeds hospital, was filming for the BBC and is thought to have been driving at up to 300mph when he crashed. The BBC, which is likely to face close scrutiny, has begun an inquiry. The police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are also investigating.
The BBC, which has begun an inquiry, is likely to face close scrutiny. Event organisers insisted that proper safety precautions were taken.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the police will jointly investigate the accident. Hammond's father, Alan, was reported to be looking after the presenter's two daughters. He told the Evening Standard newspaper he was "just hoping Richard pulls through".
Hammond's close family were at his bedside in the Leeds General Infirmary - and he was also visited by Top Gear co-hosts Jeremy Clarkson and James May.
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
  • 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
  • Clarkson said in a statement that many motorists were rooting for Hammond, adding that he and his family were "the most important concerns we have". "At the moment we are not sure if he is going to live or die. His children are very confused," he said.
    Referring to Hammond by his nickname, Clarkson said: "Both James and I are looking forward to getting our 'hamster' back." Hammond's wife Mindy was at his bedside in the Leeds hospital and he was also visited by Top Gear co-hosts Jeremy Clarkson and James May.
    Hammond's condition, which was described as serious but stable, had improved overnight, according to a hospital spokeswoman. Referring to Hammond by his nickname, Clarkson said in statement: "Both James and I are looking forward to getting our 'hamster' back."
    The presenter had been driving a jet-powered dragster similar to the Vampire - used by Colin Fallows to set the British land speed record of 300.3mph.The presenter had been driving a jet-powered dragster similar to the Vampire - used by Colin Fallows to set the British land speed record of 300.3mph.
    A spokesman for Primetime Land Speed Engineering, which is jointly run by Fallows, said the company was "deeply shocked" by the accident. Primetime Land Speed Engineering, which is jointly run by Fallows, organised the event.
    "The vehicle, which Richard Hammond was driving all day yesterday, had been prepared and was being operated to the highest of standards," said spokesman Malcolm Pittwood. A spokesman for the firm said the vehicle Hammond was driving "had been prepared and was being operated to the highest of standards".
    "Standards which we have maintained for many years in the safe operation of such vehicles."Hammond was thought to have been driving about 300mph The audience and the TV producers want you as a presenter to be there, on the inside Steve Berry Former Top Gear presenter href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=3931&edition=1" class="">Send us your comments href="/1/hi/entertainment/5367516.stm" class="">Top Gear's chequered past
    Keith King, an inspector for the Health and Safety Executive, said it was a "very unusual case" and they would be working with North Yorkshire Police. Keith King, an inspector for the HSE, said it was a "very unusual case", adding that the executive would look at the preparation and planning of the event and contingencies for an emergency.
    He said the executive would look at the preparation and planning of the event and contingencies for an emergency. Meanwhile, Supt Martin Deacon of North Yorkshire police, said his officers would initially focus on the road and the vehicle.
    Meanwhile, Supt Martin Deacon said his officers would initially focus on the road and the vehicle. On Thursday afternoon, the dragster was lifted on to the back of a lorry and taken away for forensic examination at an undisclosed location.
    He refused to speculate on the cause of the crash, saying he would have expected organisers to carry out safety precautions and a full-risk assessment.
    'Speed obsession''Speed obsession'
    The BBC said in a statement that it had begun an investigation into the accident and promised full co-operation with the HSE.The BBC said in a statement that it had begun an investigation into the accident and promised full co-operation with the HSE.
    "We continue to be concerned about [Hammond's] condition and we are keeping in touch with his family," the statement said."We continue to be concerned about [Hammond's] condition and we are keeping in touch with his family," the statement said.
    Hammond was thought to have been driving about 300mph
    Top Gear has courted controversy in the past over its big-budget car stunts, and in 1999 a group of MPs criticised the series for being "obsessed with acceleration and speed".Top Gear has courted controversy in the past over its big-budget car stunts, and 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".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."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."
    The audience and the TV producers want you as a presenter to be there, on the inside Steve Berry Former Top Gear presenter Send us your comments Top Gear's chequered past
    Hammond had to be cut free from the car on Wednesday evening after eyewitnesses at the Elvington airfield near York described how he "veered off to the right" and the car's parachutes were deployed.Hammond had to be cut free from the car on Wednesday evening after eyewitnesses at the Elvington airfield near York described how he "veered off to the right" and the car's parachutes were deployed.
    He was initially reported to have suffered serious head injuries and was taken to the neurological unit of hospital by helicopter.
    A website set up for well-wishers to make donations to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, which airlifted Hammond to hospital, has so far raised more than £4,000.A website set up for well-wishers to make donations to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, which airlifted Hammond to hospital, has so far raised more than £4,000.
    Steve Berry, one of Top Gear's former presenters, said the show had changed over the years.
    In the past, he said audiences would have been happy to see the presenter interviewing the driver.
    "That's not any good anymore... the audience and the TV producers want you as a presenter to be there, on the inside."