Top Gear's Hammond in hospital

Crashes jet-powered dragster

By John Oates • Get more from this author

Posted in Entertainment, 21st September 2006 09:42 GMT

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Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond is in intensive care today after crashing a jet-powered car while attempting to break the British land speed record.

The BBC confirmed that an accident took place at an airfield near York while Hammond was filming an edition of motoring TV show Top Gear.

Hammond was taken by air ambulance to Leeds. He was reportedly conscious after the accident and was cut free by the fire services.

He was driving a Vampire dragster, powered by a Rolls Royce jet engine. The Sun reported that a tyre blew sending the car into a somersault.

The Vampire holds the current British land speed record, 300mph, and is theoretically capable of 370mph. The car uses a Rolls Royce Orpheus jet engine. More here.

A spokeswoman for Leeds General Infirmary said: "He is in a serious but stable condition and there has been some improvement overnight. His family have asked us not to give out any other information at this time." ®

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