Hammond's progress astounds
Richard Hammond, who had a 300mph jet-car crash at Elvington Airfield on Wednesday last week, has been moved over the weekend from a high dependency unit, where he was installed on Friday after two days in intensive care with a head injury, to a general ward.
Reports suggest that he's making a remarkably fast recovery. Yesterday, he was swapping jokes with family and friends and, according to reports, looks to be off the danger list.
Reactions
Reaction to the diminutive presenter's accident has been staggering. The appeal for funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) charity has climbed to reach an amazing £160,000 at the time of writing -- and rising. One anonymous donor gave £50,000.
YAA boss Martin Eede said that he hoped to mark the success of the appeal by buying a new helicopter. Pointing out that Yorkshire has just one chopper but is bigger than New Zealand in terms of population, he said that donating to the YAA was the right thing to do.
Other county-based air ambulance charities have also benefited from donations.
Flowers have also been pouring into Richard's ward at the Leeds General Infirmary but, worrying that co-presenters Jeremy Clarkson and James May might make a meal out of his being surrounded by unmanly flowers, Richard said he'd prefer it if people made donations instead to the YAA charity (see link below).
Future of Top Gear
Meanwhile, as the row over whether the BBC's Top Gear should continue with risky stunts, Clarkson said that he's furious with those who suggest that ratings-hungry producers egged Richard on.
Clarkson said: "It was his idea. He wanted to know what it would be like to go really fast. He needs that thrill as passionately as a heroin addict needs his next fix." Hammond said from hospital that he was furious at suggestions that the show should be cut.
Clarkson said that the accident looks to have been caused by a burst tyre. He said: "It was something that in our risk-averse society, we can't understand anymore. It was an accident. Who was to blame? Nobody."
The BBC has since moderated its stance on the hugely popular show. There was a suggestion shortly after the crash that the BBC might give way to critics and cancel the series, but the latest word is that it'll be back only when all three of its presenters are ready to roll. An official BBC statement said: "We would not think of finalising plans for the next series without discussing it with everyone involved. When it is suitable, the team will do this and we will announce a new transmission date."
TG's producer Andy Wilman threatened to quit if the BBC tries to tone down the show, and a petition's been started to voice opinion (see link below).
Other reactions
Meanwhile, the discussion on PistonHeads' forums has been among the most intense since the site's inception in 1998, with over 3,000 posts made since last Wednesday.
The mainstream media have covered the story with stories focusing on both Richard Hammond's medical condition and on whether Top Gear should be undertaking risky stunts. PH itself has also been in the news, with appearances on BBC TV by PHer Tallbloke (Roger Tattersall), who along with Alex Goss started the ambulance appeal, and PH's editor Manek Dubash.
PistonHeads is delighted with the Hamster's progress, and both the PH team and -- we're sure -- the rest of the PistonHeads community wishes him a full and speedy recovery. Come back to TG soon, Richard!
