Richard Hammond recalls moment he thought he was dying on 20th anniversary of Top Gear crash

It’s been 20 years since Richard Hammond suffered a terrible car crash (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock) Richard Hammond has reflected on his near-death experience, 20 years after his terrifying Top Gear crash. The presenter, 56, was almost killed driving a jet-powered vehicle while filming an episode of the hit BBC show. He’d been travelling at over 300 miles per hour when a front tyre blew, causing the car to veer off track and flip over. Hammond was seriously hurt in the crash, sustaining a severe brain injury. This led to a two-week coma, memory loss and other psychological effects for the star. Two decades on, Hammond has marked the anniversary of the accident with an emotional post to his Instagram account. ‘Twenty years today I came to an abrupt stop upside down in a Yorkshire field, convinced I was about to die,’ he began. Hammond has reflected on his life-changing accident (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock) Describing the aftermath of the blown tyre, Hammond continued: ‘I had pulled the lever to release the parachute and done my best to steer the car away from disaster, but disaster was, it seemed, my fate and having done everything I could do to avert it, I gave myself over to that fate. ‘I didn’t scream. It wasn’t frightening. Honestly, the only way I can convey how those few, frantic, last moments felt is that it simply occurred to me that the next thing on my To Do List was to die. ‘I didn’t die. I was kept in a deep coma for a few weeks whilst my brain swelled inside my skull, the frontal lobe damaged when it dashed itself against the inside of that supposedly protective housing under the g-forces of deceleration after the car flipped and dug into the mossy, Yorkshire grass. ‘Depending on your age and inclination to follow the news, you may have heard of the event. There was, I’m told, something of a media fuss about the ‘Jet Car Crash.’ I wasn’t aware of it; I was in a coma and when I woke, had only a two minute memory. ‘I am only here today to note this anniversary and write these words because of the many people involved in rescuing me from the shattered car, flying me to hospital and treating me there.’ He went on to credit the members of the Air Ambulance crew, hospital workers and First Responders (including Dave Ogden, who ‘dug my head and face out of the ground with his hands’). Richard Hammond co-hosted Top Gear with Jeremy Clarkson and James May for 13 years (Picture: Shutterstock) ‘These are the names of some but by no means all of the people who collectively saved me and stuck me back together,’ Hammond continued. ‘I have had so many lucky career breaks, so many amazing adventures around the world and am father to the two happiest, kindest, most wonderfully talented and loving daughters but I would have seen none of them if these people hadn’t turned up to work that day and done their job. ‘Thank you all from the bottom of my heart,’ he finished. In response, Hammond’s eldest daughter, Formula E driver Izzy Hammond, commented below: ‘Chuffed you didn’t die Pa x.’ Elsewhere, racing driver Abbie Eaton commented a heart emoji, while British Touring Car Championship star Tom Chilton described him as ‘my hero.’ The Traitors star Paul Gorton added: ’20 years!? Where’s that time gone, you’re a legend Richard and we’re all glad you’re still with us.’ Hammond’s eldest daughter, Izzy, became a racing driver in her own right (Picture: TV/Shutterstock) Earlier this month, Hammond shared his fear with The Sunday Times that the crash might have left him with a higher risk of dementia.‘Brain-wise, yeah. I mean, I worry. I’m scared. Of course. That was a big impact. Will it lead to onset of dementia?’ he said. ‘I don’t know. Every time I lose my keys, and I do lose things, I think: “Oh Christ, is that brain injury, or is that just I’m 56? And we all do it. ‘So yeah, there is a legacy from that. I will carry that forever.’ Hammond returned to Top Gear in 2007, a mere four months after the accident. He continued to host the show with Jeremy Clarkson and James May until 2015, when Jezza was dismissed after a physical and verbal altercation with a producer. Hammond, Clarkson and May went on to host The Grand Tour (Picture: Shutterstock) Resigning out of solidarity, Hammond and May went on to appear in Top Gear’s spiritual successor, The Grand Tour. During this time, Hammond suffered another car accident – a 2017 crash which left his knee fractured and requiring 13 pins. The gang stepped down in 2024, welcoming Francis Bourgeois, James Engelsman and Thomas Holland as their Grand Tour replacements.In his interview with The Times, Hammond – who began dating therapist and school governor Keira ‘Kiki’ Glen this year – revealed that he’s been enjoying the (relatively) quiet life since stepping down. ‘I played golf three times this week,’ he said. ‘I’ve taken up more serious running, and I’m going to have a go at a small triathlon next year. Which means I’ve had to take up wild swimming.’ Deals of the Day Primark's new £14 co-ord has autumn styling on a budget covered Topman’s new-season collection has arrived and prices start at just £10 An Instagram mattress left me with back pain – this one completely changed my mind From £700 MacBooks to discounted iPhones, the best Apple tech for studentsb Save 25% on red light therapy masks, sauna blankets and sleep gadgets in Bon Charge sale Arrow MORE: Top Gear fans reveal true feelings about BBC reboot bringing back iconic part of show Arrow MORE: Richard Hammond is worried his brain injury could cause dementia: ‘I’m scared’ Arrow MORE: New Grand Tour hosts reveal ‘scary trap’ they needed to avoid TV Newsletter Sign up and tell us which TV shows you love to watch to get personalised updates every morning.