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Progress delights Hammond family Progress delights Hammond family
(about 7 hours later)
Top Gear host Richard Hammond is making "excellent progress" after his crash in a jet-powered car and is now on a general hospital ward, his family say.Top Gear host Richard Hammond is making "excellent progress" after his crash in a jet-powered car and is now on a general hospital ward, his family say.
The 36-year-old, who suffered a brain injury during filming for the BBC show, has been joking with his wife about the amount of flowers he has been sent.The 36-year-old, who suffered a brain injury during filming for the BBC show, has been joking with his wife about the amount of flowers he has been sent.
Amanda Hammond urged well-wishers to consider making a donation to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance instead.Amanda Hammond urged well-wishers to consider making a donation to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance instead.
It came to Mr Hammond's aid following the crash on an airfield near York.It came to Mr Hammond's aid following the crash on an airfield near York.
A group of motoring enthusiasts has already raised more than £56,000 for the charity - which airlifted Mr Hammond to hospital after Wednesday's crash - after setting up a web page for contributions. A group of motoring enthusiasts has already raised more than £130,000 for the charity - helped by a single donor who pledged £50,000 - after setting up a web page for contributions.
Scene of Richard Hammond's crash at Elvington airfieldEnlarge ImageScene of Richard Hammond's crash at Elvington airfieldEnlarge Image
Meanwhile, the BBC said it had started an investigation into the accident, which happened at Elvington airfield while Mr Hammond was driving at speeds of up to 300mph. Meanwhile, the BBC said it had started an investigation into Wednesday's accident, which happened at Elvington airfield while Mr Hammond was driving at speeds of up to 300mph.
It also confirmed the final part of the Best of Top Gear had been postponed indefinitely and the new series, due to begin on 8 October, will be delayed.It also confirmed the final part of the Best of Top Gear had been postponed indefinitely and the new series, due to begin on 8 October, will be delayed.
The BBC added: "We would like to express our thanks to the 40,000 people who have sent goodwill messages about Richard."The BBC added: "We would like to express our thanks to the 40,000 people who have sent goodwill messages about Richard."
It said the messages were being passed on and would be a "terrific boost" for the presenter.It said the messages were being passed on and would be a "terrific boost" for the presenter.
Mrs Hammond said the family had been overwhelmed by the flowers and messages of support received from well-wishers since her husband suffered what doctors say was a significant brain injury.Mrs Hammond said the family had been overwhelmed by the flowers and messages of support received from well-wishers since her husband suffered what doctors say was a significant brain injury.
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
  • But she added: "However, Richard is now beginning to worry that [co-presenters] Jeremy [Clarkson] and James [May] will start taking the mickey, so it would be great if - instead of flowers - people could make a donation to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.But she added: "However, Richard is now beginning to worry that [co-presenters] Jeremy [Clarkson] and James [May] will start taking the mickey, so it would be great if - instead of flowers - people could make a donation to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
    "The service is entirely funded by charitable donations and there's little doubt in my mind that without it, Richard would not be making the excellent progress he is.""The service is entirely funded by charitable donations and there's little doubt in my mind that without it, Richard would not be making the excellent progress he is."
    Mr Hammond's condition is described as stable by doctors at Leeds General Infirmary.Mr Hammond's condition is described as stable by doctors at Leeds General Infirmary.
    Top Gear co-presenter Mr Clarkson, a Sun columnist, said in the paper on Saturday that the father-of-two had got to his feet and walked "shakily" to the toilet during the early hours of Friday - just 30 hours after the crash.Top Gear co-presenter Mr Clarkson, a Sun columnist, said in the paper on Saturday that the father-of-two had got to his feet and walked "shakily" to the toilet during the early hours of Friday - just 30 hours after the crash.
    HAVE YOUR SAY Can't wait to see Richard back on the telly - Top Gear just wouldn't be the same without him Lisa, Halstead, Essex Send us your messagesHAVE YOUR SAY Can't wait to see Richard back on the telly - Top Gear just wouldn't be the same without him Lisa, Halstead, Essex Send us your messages
    Mr Hammond had been driving a jet-powered dragster similar to the Vampire used by Colin Fallows to set the British land speed record of 300.3 mph.Mr Hammond had been driving a jet-powered dragster similar to the Vampire used by Colin Fallows to set the British land speed record of 300.3 mph.
    Mr Hammond, from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, had to be cut free after the car "veered off to the right" and its parachutes opened during the drive.Mr Hammond, from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, had to be cut free after the car "veered off to the right" and its parachutes opened during the drive.
    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".