The Crashing Story Of Richard Hammond

Richard Hammond has spent years presenting Motoring TV shows Top Gear & The Grand Tour but his dream of driving high performance vehicles almost cost him his life....twice.
📸 Instagram - / phatmemer
🐦Twitter - / phatmemer
📡 Discord - / discord
🌍 Reddit - / phatmemer
🎵 TikTok - / phatmemer
BEHIND THE SCENES/SECOND CHANNEL
🍄 Phat Network - / @ucd92exie60bpkum...
GET IN TOUCH
📫 Inquiries - [e-mail]
------
00:00 - 00:39 - Intro
00:40 - 02:05 - Who Is Richard Hammond?
02:06 - 02:30 - Hiace Van Crash
02:31 - 05:21 - Vampire Dragster Crash
05:22 - 06:38 - Aftermath
6:39 - 08:11 - Rimac Concept One Crash
08:12 - 09:26 - Vampire Rebuild & Freddie Flintoff Crash
09:27 - 10:57 - Hammond's Reflections
10:58 - 11:21 - Conclusion

[@phatmemer69]

Richard Hammond is THAT guy. The Hamster decides when he dies

[@octavgg]

death tried to catch Hammond, but it's kind of hard to catch a nearly 300MPH car, interdimensional being or not

[@Aliquis.frigus]

Hamoond isn't dead until the Hamster stops running in the wheel.

[@johndoe-cj3rq]

Hammond escaped death twice with a reasonably priced car

[@aiden_jaison]

🙏🏾✝️ AMEN! Be thankful that GOD woke you up today! AMEN! Let's keep this family friendly please! GOD DOES! Pray for everyone! AMEN! None of us are worthy! But remember, GOD hates the sin, not the sinner! AMEN! 🙏🏾✝️! Pray for everyone! None of us are worthy! AMEN! But remember, GOD hates the sin, not the sinner! AMEN! 🙏🏾✝️

[@S0M3GUY778]

That video where Hammond talks about his dream during his coma is extremely poignant and really quite touching. I always enjoyed Hammond and his antics on Top Gear and The Grand Tour, but that video really showed a sensitive and sentimental side you rarely get to see with him in the company of Jezza and Captain Slow. I hope he stays with us for many many years more, long live The Hamster

[@feelincrispy7053]

I teared up listening to that whole story

[@Kitostardust]

Same i have self a brain damage that i was born with, i have those dreams often, but the worst of a brain damage is that people dont see it, people think its wierd if you go from happy to deep depression to happy again in like a day or being hyper active and then mental tired in evening after just office work or cant remember what you had for dinner, or that they ask how you vacation was last week and i have to watch the pictures i took to remember the vacation, i know where i was but not what i did or not remembering names of your housemate while you live in the same house for like 5 years.

[@aiden_jaison]

🙏🏾✝️ AMEN! Be thankful that GOD woke you up today! AMEN! Let's keep this family friendly please! GOD DOES! Pray for everyone! AMEN! None of us are worthy! But remember, GOD hates the sin, not the sinner! AMEN! 🙏🏾✝️! Pray for everyone! None of us are worthy! AMEN! But remember, GOD hates the sin, not the sinner! AMEN! 🙏🏾✝️

[@theninethrees8044]

These 3 will always be legends. Not just in the media world, just in general. They cannot be replicated

[@pelicanine]

Richard's comment about his children really got to me, partly because I've thoroughly been enjoying his recent DriveTribe videos with his daughter, who is absolutely awesome and definitely his daughter, lol. He remains so humble about both his crashes, I know if it was me I would have probably sued the BBC (based on the fact they "needed more takes") and left the show. But he hasn't seemed to blame anyone... Unfortunately this stuff can happen when working with cars, and I'm sure the trio knew and understood that. I'm so glad he's alive :)

[@pelicanine]

Also this was my first @phatmemer video, and it was an incredible video. Definitely going to sub 😊

[@C.Fecteau-AU-MJ13]

Ben Collins (some say he's not The Stig, he's The Stig's book writing cousin) has said many a time in interviews how much he respects the brass balls on the lads and in particular the oversized ones Richard Hammond carries about. High praise from such a man.

[@ka_4734]

Clarkson Hammond and May are the Greatest Trio in British TV History. No one holds a candle to how entertaining OG Top Gear was. 👍 👊

[@pelicanine]

It's crazy too because they didn't create Top Gear...it was a thing since the 70s or 80s with various hosts (including Jeremy). It was somewhat popular but after the trio formally joined, it just absolutely took off. I'd argue the Top Gear brand IS them. They're actually rebooting Australian Top Gear which is awesome, but it's still not *Top Gear*, y'know?

[@ka_4734]

@pelicanine. TG been about since late 80s and was cancelled by the BBC in the early 90s because it was terrible. Then Clarkson and Andy Wilman went to the BBC with a revamped TG and that's what we got to see. So the TG your talking about was created by Clarkson and Wilman

[@GoyBenius_0901]

​@@ka_4734TopGear started in the 70s and ran til 1999 before it died a death because nobody was watching it anymore. Then it relaunched in the "2002 format" in 2001 with Clarkson, Hammond, and the other fella, before he was slashed in Season 2 and replaced with James May.

[@tiloluedecke1793]

*Greatest Trio in TV History not only in Britain

[@Getslashfucked]

It shows HOW closed to death he was when his mind in that unconscious state took him to his favourite place to be

[@ivorharden]

For me, Top Gear didn't end in 2023. It ended in 2015 when C.H.M left.

[@carolineflanagan4521]

when Jeremy said "I didn't think id be saying this at one point" it showed that off camera Jeremy,Richard and James are much closer friends than they ever admit.

[@Joshj267]

So sick seeing the improvement in story telling and editing in every video

[@phatmemer69]

Thanks Josh lad, appreciate you watching!

[@joepoppleton7614]

It always makes me laugh that on Hammond’s return to Top Gear, the lyrics of the song playing in the background are “upside down, boy you’re turning me, inside out and ‘round and ‘round”

[@OpenLogicEFI]

There's actually a few more crashes from Hammond I'm sure you also saw during the research for this video. There's one that I think should be noted and may have been a good idea to put in. The video was his crash in China. He rolled a small three-wheeled Chinese car halfway down a mountain face. Thankfully he was completely uninjured but it is worth noting cuz it was a nasty crash.

[@phatmemer69]

Yeah there was defo a lot of crashes I could of included haha, but mostly just wanted to cover Hammond's top 3 worst crashes lol

[@Sc0tt_e]

I’m fairly certain that particular crash was staged to play into the whole “Hammond crashes a lot” joke

[@OpenLogicEFI]

​@@Sc0tt_e I thought so too at the time of watching the episode. There is a an interview, and i'm sorry I don't remember what one it was specifically, but in it he says it was not planned and was a true accident. I wish i remembered what interview it was, but I do remember him saying he wasn't hurt at all in that particular crash.

[@josef596]

I thought that looked real but they played it off as a joke.

[@Sc0tt_e]

@@OpenLogicEFI could you try and find the link, I’m fairly certain it was staged is all

[@FH4Player6397]

Jezza, The Hamster and Captain Slow/Mr Slowly are the greatest presenters and greatest trio in TV history! Thanks so much Phat Memer for covering this crashing Hamster!

[@CrunchyMotorsport]

Hammond: Millimetres away from death, is put on life support and sustains brain damage Flintoff: Can now smell around corners

[@kickedinthecalfbyacow7549]

It was a dark day for manufacturers of high end boy’s leather jackets and Cuban healed boots.

[@faitharcher795]

Your videos are absolutely fab, just started watching and your format of showing info and entertaining is really really good !!

[@phatmemer69]

Thanks so much! Appreciate you watching!

[@ThatDudeDeven]

hey man, I just gotta say, I'm the biggest fan of the OG Top Gear and have been for years - never heard about this lol. Super glad I found this channel. I've watched a few videos now and the quality is top notch. Keep it up, because you really have something going on here.

[@nathannavachenja3513]

The oratory skills , the details,..the extensive research...kudos Brother

[@phatmemer69]

Thanks Nathan, appreciate you big man!

[@gooddypm]

But can’t say Radio Lancashire. Or Elvington.

[@blackkite-studio5423]

Little Hamster is hard to kill and still rocking

[@thafishguy4973]

Great video man

[@gus6821]

Awesome video. I am sad that they don't do the show anymore but I am gratful I got to experience it.

[@excalibur2038]

Insane editing man, hype intro too doing a good job grabbing the viewers of the start, can really see the effort your putting in

[@Cabbage7Patch]

Love how you always talk about the perfect parts of British pop culture. Been watching you for a minute, keep it up.

[@hummel6364]

Just found out about this two days ago and found your video when trying to show a friend what happened to Hammond back then

[@yanbbrox]

nice video, well put together

[@LeoFPV]

Quality video as always

[@GordimerTM19]

always a good day when phat memer uploads a video!

[@phatmemer69]

Legend

[@matthewlumsden3723]

Would love to see you doing video's on the stories on Clarkson an May from Top Gear❤

[@moze2324]

The best trio in british tv history

[@michaelhannon8214]

Would be amazing if you could do a video on the "ladbaby" story. Xmas #1s etc. Love the videos dude

[@OFFtheCHIZANE]

I have to say, in retrospect, his desire to get back to presenting TG is very admirable. Both he and Flintoff suffered terrible accidents, but the events that follow those are telling. I should preface this by saying I respect both presenters hugely, and while of course I think CHM were a better presenting team for TG, I’m not in the camp of people that complain about MFH at every opportunity; I quite liked some of the things Flintoff and Harris particularly brought to the table… But with that said. Hammond and Flintoff both suffered dreadful crashes. As always when such things happen there’s a question of whether what they were doing was ‘safe’, within reason, and an argument can be made, in both situations, that it wasn’t. Hammond suffered an awful brain injury. Flintoff seemingly traumatised. But Hammond made it his mission to get back into the job he loved. Flintoff sued the Beeb for almost £10M. I can’t necessarily blame Flintoff for this, but I think there’s no better indication right there that for Hammond, presenting TG was his life, whereas for Flintoff, it was just a job.

[@ZzzZzz-pl9ip]

Been watching all these vids since like 10:30pm it's 3 am now every single I've watched is by Phat memer u might not see dis yh but Ur videos are class like I love these type of videos Uno Ur the only guy I could watch a 30+ min vid

[@phatmemer69]

legend mate, means a lot knowing you're enjoying the videos so much! cheers pal!

[@amazanta1605]

I’d love to see u do a top gear controversies video the show is so iconic

[@nikiplay8775]

e1s9 is still being aird in germany along with all older topgear series

[@mealdeal7693]

“Death can have me when it earns me”

[@1ChxnceLxnce]

That was really poignant, what Hammond said about the hills in the end 😢

[@EastyyBlogspot]

When he goes to hospital they say...oh god not u again

[@blackenedsprite8542]

He's got his own parking space now. He barrel rolls into it.

[@ryan_yasin]

i love this man and the other two with burning passion .... my childhood lol

[@Mohahmed121]

Richard Hammond is like Voldemort. His Horcruxs are certain cars.

[@ToiletGrenade]

hammond you sodding tic tac you crashed my lamborghini

[@discothunder112]

Its interesting to see the chemistry between the 3 presenter like any time someone hits something the other 2 laugh and make fun of it yet when something serious happens they actually become serious. I wonder what jemery and James was saying to each other during the rimac crash

[@Rebecca_The_Dragon]

God Bless Richard Hammond, he's been through so much, and still has a positive outlook on life. He is surrounded by 2 of the best friends anyone could ever ask for, and has come out of all of it, relatively unscathed in the long term. I hope soon he will retire to less dangerous life, and enjoy his remaining years in peace with his family and close friends and relatives.

[@NewNightmare115]

7:09 THats when he landed at Leeds after the vampire crash

[@lockout5731]

its always fact he has 9 lives he cant even die impressive he will have a place in my heart for how i got into cars and mustangs

[@Buzingle]

If only the OG 3 were still on top gear..

[@monkofdarktimes]

It would've ended at series 22 or 23

[@kennethmortensen8159]

2:51 still cant believe the first one. He had to roll the van like ten times? Well that will fuck with you!

[@castrange]

I studied at Harrogate collage as a teenager. there is a plac on the wall on floor 1 stating how he studdied at the collage. It is literly the only thing they have to be proud of.

[@Dmob1995]

A clarkson mishaps video is surely coming soon!

[@TimSlee1]

And the crazy part is that the rocket car crash wasn't even his fault. Production kept tempting fate by making him do multiple runs till the car couldn't handle it and the front tire gave out.

[@s_y_d_n]

“if I was 2 inches taller I wouldn’t be here today”

[@P1kaSans]

hamster has come within millimeters of death, but every time he powered through!

[@topmandog1]

It's bbc Lancashire not bbc lancaster Also Richard has now allowed the episode to be seen as its on bbc iplayer and was shown on the grand tour And top gear has been axed now

[@Ducky935]

Hammond crashing is him bumping into death, Him surviving is death saying "Watch your step man"

[@testiclegaming1250]

Bros luck comes from his short height

[@apimpnameslickback2487]

THE FUCKING RICHARD HAMMOMD EDIT GOES HARDDDD

[@PorscheWilliamsformulaone2026]

According to gojo satoru dying to win and risking death to win are completely different

[@jamiesworld1690]

U forgot to mention he presented a science program on sky 1

[@obiwankenobi3375]

James was going to be in the Vampire Dragster but pulled out if he was in the dragster he would of died but Hamster height saved him

[@samamv9893]

First good video ❤

[@robin3]

6:53 he is always on his last run when these things happen. he's hardly going for another lap.. according to production.

[@JustRifff]

Bro you literally smashed it out the park again. My favorite channel of all time swear down

[@GreatWestern175]

You only live twice, Mr Hammond (James Bond pun intended)

[@Howyanow]

Shoutout the NHS for saving the hamster 👏🏻

[@conversekid204]

I think you mean the east west London veterinary. 😂

[@mentalstig]

Any one know the turn intro

[@Stressed_N]

That's where I'm from XD

[@Jackthesmilingblack]

You did get that International Competition Licence, right?

[@user-yy6zs4fu8r]

Are you sure that the vampire car episode was filmed in 2006 cos I thought it was in 2002

[@ThegrandtravelNerd]

It definitely was. 2002 only saw the first season of the revamped Top Gear. The crash took place during filming for season 9

[@feelincrispy7053]

Was good of you not to show the interview where he is all over the shop when his brain hadn’t quite recovered

[@abrahamsteenkamp7088]

Every time he crashes is because the producer asked for another shot

[@NeonCoding]

I believe the BBC recently reaired the dragster crash episode - concerning if true.

[@jagi6170]

How many Super Cars did you get to drive this Year? Two. And how many of these super cars did you crash the same year? .... Two.

[@vitalmakhdum]

I thought there'd be more to the story

[@ThatoMahlangu-lv5xx]

What happened to Freddie is really sad man 😔

[@1xoACEox1]

Memes aside Hammond seems to be a decent man and a very talented presenter. He was on everything when i was a kid. Top Gear, Brainiac, Time commanders. British TV would have been worse off without him

[@DannyKeogh94]

Great video. I remember his Jet car accident so vividly, it was all over the news and for weeks looked like he wouldn’t pull through, but he did and went from strength to strength with the series Although I have to be honest, the Flintoff one annoyed me. Yes he’s very “macho” and up for a laugh and gets stuck into things. But Hammond is a professional driver and even then has diced closely with death, Flintoff is a bloody retired cricketer who just happens to have a personality that would do ok on TV. How him and McGuinness were allowed to do life threatening and risky stunts etc is beyond me, especially when there is history (Hammond) to back up how bad an idea it would be.

[@lollandgibbons878]

The situation with Flintoff annoys me as he Was never a car guy and had countless crashes one of them was on another show and yet he gets payed a stupid amount of money which I imagine came out of the tv license payer seeing it’s the bbc

[@gooddypm]

WTF is Radio Lancaster?

[@cinderanmagnus]

How much super cars did he break again?

[@kosmaskepler6211]

May the algorithm bless thee; it hath guided me hither with swift and sure purpose.

[@InfinityRektic]

all these bot comments

[@elusifofficial]

just been noticing them too

[@sonnywissink2607]

Who drew Richard 😂 looks like he had a stroke

[@Prettypaigexxx]

I fancied him when i was a kid 😂 he was on EVERYTHING

[@revan236]

Your the better sunny V2 icl

[@escos0410]

Lancaster 🤷‍♂️ Lancashire

[@LaziestLime]

2:18 grand tour has an episode called the scandinavian flick where james crashed a evo and it landed on the side (he lived)

[@Nobodycares22222]

real life iron man

[@x_chadboy2267]

6:42 Simple mistale but I think you forgot the word whitened.

[@Herfinnur]

AI not so good at portrait likeness, eh?

[@davefinch9]

Elvington, El-ving-ton not Elverton, not Evlington, Elvington 🤦‍♂️

[@jonathanward2527]

God has a plan for this guy

[@ililllillillilliil8327]

Oh god. Another documentary channel trying to make it big.

[@John14710]

I’m sorry, but you can’t make a video on RICHARD HAMMONDS ‘big crash’

[@LuhkohtuhFTW]

God that was terrible.

[@Gutgulper]

How do you get away with copying sunnyv2?

[@John-Doe-Yo]

Sunny wasn't the first with this type of videos lol

[@mythicalj891]

This channel is going to be HUUUGE

[@HellenBach]

His wife is also a 10

[@zraxyt]

SunnyV6

[@benhenderson8032]

SunnyV3

[@Cypher791]

🏎️💨 😧

[@SoDaFiiZzGaming]

First