Richard Hammond

[pjm007]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/north_yorks hire/5365676.stm

Absolutely tragic news. I am a huge fan of Top Gear, its my favourite programme. I really hope the Hampster pulls through this ok, the show just wouldn't be the same without him. I wish him and his family my best wishes.

[Gromit]

I think it is crashing at 300mph that's the problem

[Gromit]

Driving at 300mph is OK, I think it is crashing at 300mph that's the problem.

[juddlinski]

it wasn't funny the first time.

[OBonio]

Personally, I like Top Gear. Nowt wrong with a bit of testosterone driven presentation. But I do take it for what it is.

That aside though, I remember the Hamster doing a program on MMR (the 'controversial' jab for 1 year olds). It was very informative and the research into the why's and wherefores was very solid.

So, thank you Mr Hammond for helping me make that agonising decision and I hope he is up and about playing football in hatchbacks sometime soon.

[IzzieQ]

I don't watch Top Gear for their opinions on cars - and I don't feel that they insult my intelligence. I am perfectly able to disregard Jeremy Clarkson's pomposity.
As irresponsible as I believe the stunt to be, I do care what happens to Richard Hammond, because I find him an engaging presenter and because he has a young family.

[happygam]

I agree with playbill.... I am a woman and I love fast cars and I love Top Gear, it i is very entertaining, thats what it sets out to do, the hamster is doing something that he loves and I am sure as and when he is better, he will do it again and again...he wasn't putting anyone else in danger, it is something that he must have wanted to do and I am sure all precautions are taken..we take risks every day, going on a plane, when I cross the road. As a married man, I am sure his wife respects what he does...and that will never change - I don't think Jeremy Clarkson is to blame - we all have choices - hamster probably chose to do it - best wishes to him and his family and lets hope he gets back to what he loves doing - soon!!

[4getmenot]

Bless his family at this time. I never used to watch top gear, but with these 3 brilliant presenters I love finding out about cars now, they make it fun. Some of you say that the BBC are going over the board with stunts and that Richard shouldn�t have been doing that. But he wouldn�t have done it if he didn�t want to, he obviously has to sign something before he does so. And as his friend said on new at lunch it was just a terrible accident and that he is an experienced driver and has driven powerful cars for many years now. I mean would you say if you mate got run over by a bus that they shouldn�t be crossing a road. This is his everyday job and something he loves, and I truly hope he carries on in this profession.

[larkin]

Smashing bloke, often shops in our local town. Always smiling.
Love Top Gear and have everything crossed for Richard and his family . Hope someone is smiling on them .

[4getmenot]

shops in your town, not fair dont you just want to put him in your pocket and take him home. :-)

[Hammer Head]

Many of you on here have stated that they care what happens to Richard Hamond. It's just a pity then that Richard Hammond didn't care what happened to Richard Hammond.

When you have children your priorities must change. You suddenly have other people who are entirely dependant on you. Therefore, driving a jet powered car at 300mph especially considering that you are not a professional racing driver is extremely foolhardy.

It's also a bit childish for people on here to say that we don't all want to sit in front of the fire with our slippers on. The biggest responsibility we have is to our children. RH probably came within a whisker of leaving a widow and two fatherless children. Would everybody have been so glib about it then?

[Playbill]

In reply to Hammer Head.
I can think of many other occupations that could, and have left children fatherless. I believe that one of the most dangerous is deep sea fishing. Should only non family men take jobs in that industry?
Driving cars and entertaining people was (and hopefully still will be) Richard's occupation. Perhaps seeing somebody enjoying their work touches a raw nerve with you.

[naz_nomad]

Yeah but look what happened to Superman ... and he only fell off a damn horse.

[flubber]

I don't watch top gear. I have never heard of this guy but I am really sorry that he has had such a bad accident. Is it worth devoting 15 minutes of the national news to? I think not!

[zipadeedodah]

Personally I'm gutted about what's happened to Richard Hammond. I think he's great, and although I'm not really into cars that much, I love the show. I really really hope he pulls through and makes a full recovery, for the sake of his family, friends, and the millions of people he entertains.

[Andy Boz]

I am a little confused here. Mr Hammond was trying for a UK land speed record, in a dragster.
Dragsters generally race on a timed 1/4 mile, from standing start, not on an airfireld. Draqgster drivers have terrific g-forces on them, and a layman couldn't just get in a dragster and go, in my opinion.
A fellow called Slammin Sammy Miller achieved a speed of 1/4 mile record 3.58 seconds 386 mph, way back years ago, and as far as I can see, Mr Hammond was being used as a bit of sensationalism.
Best wishes to him anyway.

[Hammer Head]

Playbill - you miss the point. Those of us who have dangerous professions do so because it is our only way of earning a living. People like RH don't need to do these sorts of stunts to earn their living. To draw a comparison between those in dangerous occupations and those who choose to choose to take part in needless stunts is pathetic beyond belief and an insult to those people who put their lives at risk for people like you.

[jump79]

Well, his passion was cars and he chose to do what he did, risks and all. Some people might see him as irresponsible or hedonistic but there's nothing wrong with living life to the full, (not exactly a crime, is it?). I don't think he deserves to suffer/die for choosing to live the way he did...

Hopefully he will pull through and be well again, but most likely rethink his career having come so close to the end this time.

[Toureman]

Just remember " All men die, some never live"

I hope he makes a full recovery he is a man who likes to live life to the full like me, I have been lucky so far.

[bancodegaia]

I wish Richard all the best in his recovery but unfortunately if he has had a significant brain injury I fear we won't see him presenting again.
As someone who has also suffered a "significant" brain injury, I'd be extremely surprised if he made what's being termed a full recovery. Once the brain is damaged, thats it, it doesn't repair itself - the scarring shrinks but the neurological pathways are broken forever, I just hope that he makes as good a recovery as possible but it's a long road back and we won't be seing him behind the wheel of a car for a very long time.

[kick3m0n]

"our only way of earning a living" Hammer Head - I just don't buy that mate, not in this day and age. If your priorities were really geared to ensuring you were there for your dependants, you would ALWAYS be able to find work that didn't risk your life. You chose to continue this work not because it's the ONLY way for you to earn a living, but because you enjoy it, or the pay/rewards, the environemnt etc, but not purely because it's your ONLY way to earn a living - that is a lie. Get off your high horse and ditch the pious attitude, it sucks.