Top Gear accident at Elvington

AndyG · Post by **AndyG** » 21 Sep 2006, 14:18

The latest report is "serious but stable" having shown "some improvement overnight". Quite rightly the hospital are respecting the wishes of his family, and not releasing any further information.

It has been interesting to see how popular and well liked Richard Hammond is, and not just in the UK but globally as well. There seems to be a very genuine outpouring of sympathy for both Richard and his family, much like that recently for Steve and Terri Irwin. Let's hope the outcome is better!

AndyG

Stewart Pearson · Post by **Stewart Pearson** » 21 Sep 2006, 23:43

Very sorry to hear of this accident and sympathy goes to the family.

I cannot help wondering however, just what the hell the Top Gear Team thought they were doing

Sky News tonight reported emails from the production team relating to their desire to beat the UK Speed record. Now I have no problems with that desire. However an email dated 13th September indicated that Mr Hammond would be replacing the original choice.

So we have a Television Presenter (not a professional driver) attempting to break a land speed record, within 1 week of the decision being made, and as far as I can ascertain after only six drives in the vehicle.

As a retired cop, I can only say that I am appalled that this was allowed to go ahead and I imagine that the BBC and Top Gear Producers will be facing some very serious do-do from the H&S Executive.

Cheers

Stewart

igorski · Post by **igorski** » 22 Sep 2006, 00:07

I read that a burst tyre was (partly?) to blame, so the choice of driver may not have mattered.

Stewart Pearson · Post by **Stewart Pearson** » 22 Sep 2006, 00:13

You may well be right about the tyre deflation, but I can't help feeling that Mr Hammond was in no way experienced enough to be attempting this record.

It could be argued that an experienced driver may well have been able to handle a sudden tyre deflation.

Cheers

Stewart

Post by **TSR2** » 22 Sep 2006, 01:00

I really hope he comes through, but in relation to previous posts, he's a big boy and understands the risks.

It was an accident, unfortunate, but an accident. know one to blame, so lets stop looking. if he didn't want to get into the car he only had to say no.

we are so risk averse these days, unless there is someone who can be made to pay up. Theres no price on life, but I recon Richard knew what he was doing. I really do hope he's ok, and the greatest respect to another man doing something which was a bit dangerous.

All the best Mr. Hammond! And i wish the blame merchants woud sod off.

jonesey2k · Post by **jonesey2k** » 22 Sep 2006, 01:32

Doesnt look good, they reckon the poor chap has brain damage. :sad:

Stewart Pearson · Post by **Stewart Pearson** » 22 Sep 2006, 01:35

Excuse me Ben, but I am not blaming anyone, nor do I appreciate being told to sod off just because I expressed an opinion on a public forum.

Yes he knew the risks, yes it was a tragic accident. However there is no point burying ones head in the sand and not accepting the fact that accidents do not just happen.

There are contributing factors in every accident. In my humble opinion Mr Hammond should never have attempted this record. More importantly he should not have been put in the position by his employers.

The current holder is an experienced Drag Racing driver, Mr Hammond is not. The current holder probably spent hours if not weeks in the car building up to breaking the record. Mr Hammond did not get this training.

These are not matters for blame, they are contributing factors which resulted in the accident occuring.

Putting it into some sort of context, you would not expect a bloke holding nothing more than a UK Full Driving licence, to turn up at Silverstone, have a few laps and then compete in the British Grand Prix. It therefore beggars belief that the same bloke (in this case Mr Hammond) was expected to break a land speed record.

As I said in my original post, Mr Hammond was substituted as driver some 7 days before the attempt, which indicates a distinct lack of thought/risk assessment went into the venture.

The old adage "Fail to plan - plan to fail" or if you prefer the SAS version (The Seven P rule) Proper Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance would seem to be appropriate.

One question I would like to know the answer to however. As I understand it Top Gear employ a professional driver (Stig???). Why wasn't he chosen for the attempt?

Stewart

AndyG · Post by **AndyG** » 22 Sep 2006, 07:43

Actually Stewart, I believe Mr Hammond doesn't quite fit your description of "a bloke holding nothing more than a UK Full Driving licence". Partly due to his role at Top Gear, and undoubtedly partly due to his well known daredevil attitude, he is also a trained and licenced race driver.

AndyG

Hot_Charlie · Post by **Hot_Charlie** » 22 Sep 2006, 09:05

Stewart Pearson wrote: One question I would like to know the answer to however. As I understand it Top Gear employ a professional driver (Stig???). Why wasn't he chosen for the attempt?

Maybe because, like James may and Jeremy Clarkson, he was busy? Note, without knowing his identity, he may well have been at the F1 testing at Silverstone perhaps.

I don't know the full background of Richard Hammond's driving qualifications and experience, and don't know how many other people do either...

Nigel H-J · Post by **Nigel H-J** » 22 Sep 2006, 09:46

I honestly hope that this thread is not going down the line as a 'Who do you think is to Blame'.

The fact is that a very popular presenter of many programmes 'Richard Hammond' has been seriously hurt in a tragic accident, yes there are risks in any challenge but to try to blame him for participating because of lack of experience is just well, right off the mark on this thread. Just look at Andy Green who broke the Land Speed Record at over 700mph, he was not a trained driver of fast cars but an RAF pilot!!!!! So what is the difference I ask??!!!!

Please - please - please, let us keep this thread to hoping that Richard makes a full recovery for the sake of his family and friends and leave the investigation to the EXPERTS!!!!!