Former Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond has thanked emergency workers on the 20th anniversary of a high-speed jet-powered Vampire dragster crash that left him with serious injuries, according to the Press Association.
The 2006 Jet Car Crash at RAF Elvington
The incident occurred two decades ago when Hammond was driving the jet-powered Vampire dragster at speeds exceeding 300mph. According to the Press Association, the 56-year-old was filming for the BBC motoring show at the former RAF Elvington airbase near York when a front tyre blew out.
In a post shared on Instagram, Hammond recalled coming to an abrupt stop upside down in a Yorkshire field. He stated that he pulled the release lever for the parachute and steered the vehicle away from disaster before surrendering to the situation, noting that he was convinced he was about to die.
Did you know?
Richard Hammond reached speeds of 320mph in the jet-powered Vampire dragster during the ill-fated 2006 run at the North Yorkshire airbase.
Gratitude to Air Ambulance and Aftercare Teams
Reflecting on the near-fatal accident, Hammond stated that he did not scream and felt the event “wasn’t frightening,” adding that he merely felt his next task was to die. However, he credited his survival entirely to the rapid response of rescue personnel.
According to the Press Association, Hammond specifically named members of the Air Ambulance and aftercare teams who treated him, stating that he will be forever grateful for their intervention. He noted that he owes his subsequent career and family life—including his daughters—to those professionals turning up for work that day.
Television Career Post-Top Gear
Following the 2006 crash, Hammond continued his tenure on BBC’s Top Gear alongside co-hosts Jeremy Clarkson and James May until 2015. The trio later reunited to present Prime Video’s The Grand Tour, a motoring series they fronted until 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Richard Hammond’s jet car crash happen?
The crash occurred 20 years ago in 2006 during filming at the former RAF Elvington airbase near York, according to the Press Association.
How fast was Richard Hammond driving during the incident?
According to verified reports, Hammond was driving the jet-powered Vampire dragster at speeds exceeding 300mph, reaching up to 320mph when a front tyre blew.
Who saved Richard Hammond after the crash?
Hammond credited the Air Ambulance crews and medical aftercare teams who extracted him from the shattered vehicle, flew him to the hospital, and provided treatment.
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