Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond critical after crash
 

Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond is in a critical condition in hospital after a crash in a jet-powered car while filming for the programme, BBC News reports. The presenter, 36, was taken by air ambulance to Leeds General Infirmary which has a special neurological unit. A North Yorkshire Ambulance Service spokesman said he was unconscious when they got to the scene and a hospital spokesman described him as "critical". The BBC confirmed the presenter had been injured during a Top Gear shoot.

Inspector Mike Thompson, of North Yorkshire Police, said officers were dealing with the incident at Elvington airfield, a former RAF base, in North Yorkshire.

He said: "At 5.45pm this evening we received a report via the fire service of a male person trapped in what was described as an overturned jet car which had been driven on the airfield.

"The male occupant has received serious injuries and has been airlifted to hospital at Leeds."

The presenter was born in Birmingham, educated in Yorkshire and lives near Cheltenham.

In addition to presenting Top Gear for the BBC, he also fronted Brainiac on Sky One until recently.

damn, sure sucks

Man, that's too bad. I can't wait until the new ones come out. But it'll suck if he's not there.

Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond has suffered a "significant brain injury" after crashing a jet-powered car at speeds of up to 300mph during filming. Doctors at Leeds General Infirmary said they were "reasonably optimistic" the 36-year-old would make a good recovery. The BBC, which is likely to face close scrutiny, has begun an inquiry. The police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are also investigating. Event organisers insisted that proper safety precautions were taken.

:thumbsdow Lets hope he is OK. Significant brain injury usually means he's not going to make it.