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.

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.

Source : http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/north_y...ire/5365676.stm

Oh dear, I hope he's OK.

I never watch top gear but i know the guy from brainiac science abuse. I hope the guy will be ok.

Yeah not a big Top Gear fan, but I did used to watch Brainiac and I liked this dude. I hope he does well!

I hope he has a speedy recovery, he's a great presenter for brainiac. I've never really watched Top Gear - the old guy pi**es me off - but I bet he's a good presenter in that too.

I do hope he will be ok.

Certainly hope he will be okay. Can't imagine an unqualified person thinking he could handle a jet powered car going over 300mph.

i do hope he recovers even though he is short called the hampster and uses teeth whitening he keeps that lanky clarkson in line.

I love top gear all the frolicking about i never laughed so much.

the caravan was the best stunt, i was on the floor in stitches (no offence to hammond)

The producer of the show has threatened to walk out if the format changes, half of britain will be walking right behind him me thinks.

So bbc beware!!!

Anybody know of any updates on this? Haven't seen anything. Thanks.