RICHARD Hammond has recalled the harrowing moment he nearly died in a 300mph car crash on Top Gear.
The presenter, 56, was left in a deep coma following the tragic incident twenty years ago.
Richard Hammond recalls the harrowing moment he nearly died in 300mph Top Gear Jet car crash Credit: PA:Press Association
The presenter was left in a deep coma following the tragic incident twenty years ago Credit: PA:Press Association
In 2006, during an episode of Top Gear, Richard was set and ready to run at speeds around 288mph in a jet-propelled car.
After several runs getting used to the car, on his final run, the front left tyre failed, launching him off the track.
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He was then airlifted to the closest hospital and treated for brain damage, including being put into an induced coma.
Richard has now taken to his social media to reflect on the life-changing incident, opening up to fans about what happened.
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Alongside gut-wrenching photos from the scene, Richard penned: “Twenty years ago today I came to an abrupt stop upside down in a Yorkshire field, convinced I was about to die.
“A front tyre had blown on the jet powered dragster I had been driving at over 300mph. I had pulled the lever to release the parachute and done my best to steer the car away from disaster, but disaster was, it seemed, my fate and having done everything I could do avert it, I gave myself over to that fate.
“I didn’t scream. It wasn’t frightening. Honestly, the only way I can convey how those few, frantic, last moments felt is that it simply occurred to me that the next thing on my To Do list was to die.
“I didn’t die. I was kept in a deep coma for a few weeks whilst my brain swelled inside my skull, the frontal lobe damaged when it dashed itself against the inside of that supposedly protective housing under the g-forces of deceleration after the car flipped and dug into the mossy, Yorkshire grass.”
He continued: “Depending on your age and inclination to follow the news, you may have heard of the event. There was, I’m told, something of a media fuss about the ‘Jet Car Crash’.
“I wasn’t aware of it; I was in a coma and when I woke, had only a two minute memory.
In 2017 Richard was involved in another horrific crash where he lost control of a car which flipped and burst into flames Credit: Getty Images – Getty
After the 2006 accident Richard vowed to give up death-defying stunts for the sake of his family Credit: Rex Features
“I am only here today to note this anniversary and write these words because of the work of the many people involved in rescuing me from the shattered car, flying me to hospital and treating me there.
The next slide showed a list of names of the people who treated and took care of him on and off the scene in a heartwarming dedication.
Ending his statement, he said: “I have had so many lucky career breaks, so many amazing adventures around the world and am father to the two happiest, kindest, most wonderfully talented and loving daughters but I would have seen none of them if these people hadn’t turned up to work that day and done their job.
“Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”
Fans flocked to the comments to send well wishes with his daughter Izzy penning: “Chuffed you didn’t die Pa x”
After the 2006 accident, Richard vowed to give up death-defying stunts for the sake of his family.
The dad-of-two later revealed he experienced depression, paranoia and memory loss due to brain damage suffered in the terrible accident.
He told The Mirror at the time: “I’ve a beautiful wife and two beautiful daughters.
“I’m not going to risk leaving them…”
Sadly that wouldn’t be the last time Richard was involved in horror crash.
In 2017 the Grand Tour host was driving a supercar worth £2million when he lost control before it flipped and then burst into flames in St Gallen, Switzerland
A source revealed how he undid his seatbelt to flee just before it flipped down the hill and erupted in a fireball.
The star was treated for serious injuries and it was later revealed how he spoke from his hospital bed to apologise to his wife and daughters.
