Richard Hammond - Update

According to the Daily Express, the star´s brother, 34 year old Nicholas Hammond said that Richard was making good progress and that the doctors caring for him were pleased.

There has been a massive public reaction to the news reported on Wednesday evening that the popular 36 year old presenter had been involved in a high-speed crash in a jet powered car. There is a lot of speculation over the speed the car was travelling at when the accident occured, and it is reported that on the previous run Hammond reached speeds of 300.3mph, equalling the British land speed record in the jet powered car which is capable of speeds totalling 370mph.

Richard´s wife Amanda, 35, has been at her husband´s bedside as he remains in intensive care in the neurological unit at Leeds General Infirmary. His Top Gear co-presenters Jeremy Clarkson and James May visited Richard in hospital yesterday, with reports claiming that Clarkson managed to raise a smile from his injured colleague, informing him that he only ended up in hospital because he was a '*** driver.' On a more serious note the BBC have reported May´s account that Hammond ´was smiling and seemed to recognise us´ a telling reminder of the severity of the injuries the presenter has sustained.

Appeal raises £30,000+

In the hours since Richard´s accident, his fans have raised more than £30,000 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance service that airlifted the star to hospital.

The organisers of the fund had hoped to raise a few thousand pounds for the no-profit organisation, which attends over 1000 incidents requiring emergency air assistance every year, at a cost of £3600 per day.

The fund has already raised enough for 45 flights of the helicopter and are now aiming to raise enough to pay for 75.

To make a donation to the fund, please click Richard Hammond Appeal