Top Gear co-presenter says Hammond is ok “deep inside”

TOP GEAR star Richard Hammond is “perfectly intact” deep inside, his co-presenter James May said yesterday.

May spoke of his optimism after visiting Hammond at Leeds General Infirmary to where he was airlifted following the 36-year-old’s high speed crash on Wednesday.

May said: “I’m not a doctor but I am his mate and I believe that deep inside the Hammond I know is perfectly intact.”

In a statement issued through his agent, May said: “I’ve had a conversation with Hammond today.

“Not a long one, but it was a conversation.

“I want to say this – Doctors are cautiously optimistic about his recovery because doctors have to be.”

As fans continued to arrive to wish him well, doctors at Leeds General Infirmary said his condition had improved.

Hammond was seriously injured when the jet-powered car he had been driving at speeds up to 300mph crashed at Elvington airfield, near York, on Wednesday afternoon. Police are currently investigating the incident.