Richard Hammond, LPG and Jet-Cars

Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond has had a serious accident whilst attempting to break the UK land-speed record in a jet-powered dragster.

Former Top Gear presenter, Steve Berry said of the accident: "He is incredibly lucky to be alive ... this isn't a car, it's more like a wingless aeroplane". The machine is capable of accelerating from 0-270 mph in just 6 seconds and was travelling at +/-300mph when it suddenly veered off the track and somersaulted.

The 'Programme Prevention Department'
Ironically one of Hammond's co-presenters, Jeremy Clarkson, has regularly been outspoken about his dislike of 'Health & Safety', calling it "the cancer of a civilised society" (Sunday Times article). The HSE is currently investigating Richard Hammond's accident. Interestingly, the crash was discussed on BBC's Question Time after someone asked the question: "has reality TV gone too far?" Watch the podcast here.

"He has brought an awful lot to [Top Gear] and his indefatigable energy, the fact that he tries absolutely anything once, may have been the reason that he has overstepped the mark a bit."
- Quentin Wilson talking to the BBC


Out of respect for his family's wishes, all we know is that Hammond sustained a significant brain injury, but doctors are "reasonably optimistic that he'll make a good recovery."

Whilst the Vampire jet car consumes 7-10 gallons of fuel per mile, Richard Hammond's family car is an eleven-year-old Range Rover Vogue SE with a thirsty 3.9-litre V8 engine. Luckily (and somewhat surprisingly given his co-presenter's environmentally unfriendly stance, Hammond's Range Rover is actually LPG-powered!. We wish him a speedy recovery.