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Hammonds 'overwhelmed' by support Hammonds 'overwhelmed' by support
(about 1 hour later)
The wife of injured Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond says she has been overwhelmed by the public support since her husband's high-speed car crash.The wife of injured Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond says she has been overwhelmed by the public support since her husband's high-speed car crash.
Amanda "Mindy" Hammond said she has had messages from around the world since his accident in a jet-powered car, during filming near York, on Wednesday.Amanda "Mindy" Hammond said she has had messages from around the world since his accident in a jet-powered car, during filming near York, on Wednesday.
The 36-year-old presenter's condition is said by doctors to be "stable".The 36-year-old presenter's condition is said by doctors to be "stable".
"He's starting to look like Richard again. He's tough as hell and on his way back," she told the Daily Mirror. "He's starting to look like Richard again. He's tough as hell and on his way back," Mrs Hammond told the Mirror.
Father-of-two Mr Hammond suffered a "significant brain injury" when he crashed. The accident is being investigated by the BBC, the police and the Health and Safety Executive.Father-of-two Mr Hammond suffered a "significant brain injury" when he crashed. The accident is being investigated by the BBC, the police and the Health and Safety Executive.
Mrs Hammond told the Mirror: "He's spoken and smiled. It's early days and what has happened hasn't really sunk in for him.Mrs Hammond told the Mirror: "He's spoken and smiled. It's early days and what has happened hasn't really sunk in for him.
Scene of Richard Hammond's crash at Elvington airfieldEnlarge ImageScene of Richard Hammond's crash at Elvington airfieldEnlarge Image
"The whole family is overwhelmed by everyone's support. There have been so many flowers, cards and e-mails from around the world."The whole family is overwhelmed by everyone's support. There have been so many flowers, cards and e-mails from around the world.
"To know that so many people love him is astounding. We want to thank everyone for their good wishes and prayers.""To know that so many people love him is astounding. We want to thank everyone for their good wishes and prayers."
Jeremy Clarkson, one of Mr Hammond's co-presenters on the BBC show, told the Sun newspaper his colleague had got to his feet and walked "shakily" to the toilet during the early hours of Friday.Jeremy Clarkson, one of Mr Hammond's co-presenters on the BBC show, told the Sun newspaper his colleague had got to his feet and walked "shakily" to the toilet during the early hours of Friday.
And fellow Top Gear presenter James May said on Friday he believed the injured presenter was "perfectly intact" after the pair had had a conversation at his hospital bedside.And fellow Top Gear presenter James May said on Friday he believed the injured presenter was "perfectly intact" after the pair had had a conversation at his hospital bedside.
"I'm not a doctor but I am his mate and I believe that deep inside the Hammond I know is perfectly intact," he said."I'm not a doctor but I am his mate and I believe that deep inside the Hammond I know is perfectly intact," he said.
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
  • Mr Hammond is out of intensive care at Leeds General Infirmary and said to be making "satisfactory progress"Mr Hammond is out of intensive care at Leeds General Infirmary and said to be making "satisfactory progress"
    Doctors have previously said they are "reasonably optimistic" he will make a good recovery.Doctors have previously said they are "reasonably optimistic" he will make a good recovery.
    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.
    Mr Hammond had to be cut free after the car "veered off to the right" and its parachutes opened during a drive at Elvington airfield.Mr Hammond had to be cut free after the car "veered off to the right" and its parachutes opened during a drive at Elvington airfield.
    Primetime Land Speed Engineering, which supplied the car and a support team for the event, said the vehicle "had been prepared and was being operated to the highest of standards".Primetime Land Speed Engineering, which supplied the car and a support team for the event, said the vehicle "had been prepared and was being operated to the highest of standards".
    The BBC said in a statement that it had started an investigation into the accident and promised full co-operation with the HSE.The BBC said in a statement that it had started an investigation into the accident and promised full co-operation with the HSE.
    A BBC spokeswoman also confirmed the final part of the Best of Top Gear, which was due to be screened on 1 October, had been postponed indefinitely.A BBC spokeswoman also confirmed the final part of the Best of Top Gear, which was due to be screened on 1 October, had been postponed indefinitely.
    It would have been broadcast ahead of the new series of Top Gear but the corporation has said it is not in a position to confirm the transmission of the new series.It would have been broadcast ahead of the new series of Top Gear but the corporation has said it is not in a position to confirm the transmission of the new series.