Top Gear star in 280mph smash
By KEVIN O'CONNOR
Sun Online
September 20, 2006
TOP Gear presenter Richard Hammond lies critically ill in hospital after crashing a jet-powered car while filming for the hit programme.
Hammond, who often drives high-performance cars as part of presenting the show, was taken to hospital following the 280mph smash at an airfield near York.
A BBC spokeswoman said: "The incident happened quite recently and the focus of our attention is on Richard at this stage."
Inspector Mike Thompson, of North Yorkshire Police, 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."