Richard Hammond: My 320mph Crash Changed My Life In Unexpected Ways

[@urock12201]

I never imagined Hammond to be so philosophical. But I suppose a handful of near death experiences will do that to you. Great interview!

[@MRoo1oo]

Richard nails it, if people are having memory issues and their happy that's wonderful. The last times I spoke to my 96 year old Grandfather, he thought I was an old friend (1920's old) and was talking about how much fun we had and that we need to get together again. He was so happy, I went along with it and we some laughs.

[@andrewharris9302]

My grandma is still alive with dementia she was the last person that she forgot. We had a incredible bond I’m her grandson and over great financial costs to myself I took care of her. She helped raise me when my parents weren’t good people. They got help got off the drugs and go therapy. I love them very much even tho my childhood was bad i feel people deserve a second chance and for 15 plus years they have been my rock. I hate the disease 🦠 that has took my grandmas mind. She sometimes remembers who I am, but thinks I’m a teenager I’m 35 now. Anyway sorry for the long comments Doc said I was borderline high functioning autistic . I love my grandma and it hurts me so much that this has happened to her

[@youknow227]

​@@andrewharris9302is she okay now

[@TheDude69]

Dude going deeper than I expected him to. Despite all the things science has come to understand, the human conscience remains an enigma.

[@linda8274]

I've never heard Hammond like this before, maybe a near fatal crash changes you but I think he is so much more deep than we ever got to know him on GT. Love you man

[@Wankle.]

It seems Hammond has a hidden intelligence that he does not reveal to us in the shows he’s part of. What a joy this was to listen to.

[@Bumbaclartios]

For sure, to be as quick witted as all of those guys are you have to be above average in intelligence imo

[@aidangriffiths5075]

They're playing characters really

[@alexanderjames6328]

@@aidangriffiths5075 Not in this interview. I met Mr Hammond in Hereford not so long ago... I live in a small market town (Bromyard). He sounded just like he does in this clip.

[@BSRaven]

The difference between a smart man and a dumb man is that the smart man knows when he's being an idiot, and Hammond is fully aware of when he's being an idiot.

[@polar_inertia]

​@@alexanderjames6328 he meant he plays a character on the show.. cmon

[@pokegan52]

As a fan of top gear and as someone who never met Richard, when the Rimac crash happened I was not well for many weeks. These 3 mean so much to me and my childhood

[@thelammacus]

I remember feeling the same thing when the dragster crash happened, I was completely in bits

[@jedtayloruk]

I died, my heart stopped after a dramatic loss of blood. I was lucky to have my Mother there, all I remember is asking her “am I going to die now”, then all I saw was dark but absolute peace, no pain or fear about it….obviously they revived me but that is the most poignant memory I think I will ever have. Truly a life changing thing.

[@andrewharris9302]

I died in surgery for a strangulated colon. They bought me back it was so weird seeing myself float above my own body.

[@davidivaskovic]

seeing people say "I died" is a strange feeling I never even imagined. I hope you guys live great lives and make everything of your second chances!

[@Corey-li5ue]

​@@andrewharris9302You don't have to share as I am just a stranger, but I'm curious. Do you believe in God? Did you before that happened to you, or did you start to after? Or have you never and to this day never believed in a god? What's your philosophy?

[@siamsurf]

I once fell while skiing in the Alps, and I knew instantly that I would go off a cliff any second and fall to my death, no matter what I would try. It was the most serene feeling I ever had. I eventually saw faces with moving lips and realized that I must have not fallen off the cliff. It took some time for my hearing to return and me being able to move again.

[@AissurDrol]

Man, Hammond is such as smart and well spoken gentleman. That never really comes across in Top Gear. What an awesome guy.

[@Prince-qr1te]

Having a near-death experience will bring a total shift in perspective that there's no coming back from. In the split second before you think it's over, you realise just what's really important and what you've wasted your time with.

[@stevenread1676]

5:20 - 100% agree with this. I cared for my father after he had a stroke, and then several more. His memory wasn't ever the same again and it's something that I had to adapt to more as his carer than he did- his memory long term was still sharp as a tack. Short term memory was full of holes and he needed constant reminders about things. Normally he was perfectly happy. Some few times realisation crept in and that was hard for us both. He would get very distressed as he 'knew' at that point that he wasn't quite 'right'. Those times where worse than when he just went about his day not realsiing that his memory was gone. Bless him. Glad the Hampster managed to more or less recover from this.

[@BenRelle]

Hammond came and talked to a large-ish audience at a firm as I was working at at the time about risk-taking. This was post crash, and it was clear that he wasn't fully over it. Nothing like the confidence we see in this clip. So glad to see him fully recovered.

[@dionlindsay2]

Interesting how significant trees are. When my parents weren't well and I was staying with them I dreamt I walked through their village, out the other side, up a gentle hill that wasn't an effort, turned round and sat with my back to a tree until I woke up. I was very comforted by the dream.

[@Ampedmountainbiking]

Watching this reminded me of my own experience facing death as I witnessed the loss of my leg in a motorcycle accident. In that moment, I also felt an overwhelming sense of calm and acceptance, almost as if everything just made sense. It’s a strange yet serene feeling, one that I never imagined would be so peaceful. Thank you for sharing this-it really resonated with me

[@LynnEbury-k7s]

The honesty and openness really makes us realise how life can be changed in an instance. We'll done Richard for going back to the career that could EASILY have ended your life. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@cromwellg60]

What he says about shouting at the person is very interesting. I remember when my dad was dying and and had fallen into a coma (he was terminally ill), I could see he was fighting to stay alive even though he wasnt conscious. I stroked his head and told him it was ok and everything was taken care of and that he should just let go and he calmed and passed away soon afterwards. I didnt want him worrying about us, and to know we were all taken care of would have been extremely comforting to him. The reason im saying this is that people in comas can still be communicated with and to some degree understand what is going on. Very interesting indeed.

[@tammycooke5294]

Thank you for sharing this tragic accident and it's repercussions! Don't ever apologise for repeating the events of this accident, I had tears in my eyes for you and your family during this video clip. I am glad you are back making people laugh and doing what you love doing. X

[@Elthenar]

He suffered what's called a Diffuse axonal injury. That is an ultra serious brain injury and a lot of people just don't wake up from it. I don't think Richard would ever brag about this but if he chose to, he can honestly say he stopped a 300 mile an hour car with his face and survived.

[@matthewblack986]

That was so moving and eye opening.

[@andywilliams7323]

I'm really glad Mindy got angry and really shouted at him, I don't think he would've survived if she had not done so. I really think that coma dream was Richard making his departure from this world, but Mindy shouting at him made him turn round and decide to stay here.

[@Cheximus]

Lol.

[@jamiebrown2808]

Just what I thought mate, only seen this for the first time just now, I think your spot on

[@michaelkean5969]

Nah odds are Mindy forced Jeremy and James into Matrix style machines and forced them to go into Hamsters mind and drag him back. Can just picture Hammond about to drive into the Great beyond only for his car to get towed by a Tow truck being driven by Jeremy and James

[@Henry.25]

3:02 Fear appears when there's time to think what could go wrong, before the situation happens. The moment you realize that your life is about to end and that there is no going back, there is acceptance. I had a very near death experience and I remember lying on the floor just waiting to die. At that moment in the floor, feeling my blood gushing out my body, the world had stopped. I swear to God that I was in such peace of mind.

[@BurritoSenor]

Did you get stabbed/shot or something?

[@derp195]

3:15 is exactly how I felt when I almost died. No fear, just a realization. “Ohh, so this is how I die.” So strange - it should be a terrifying moment, but when it happens, you’re totally ok with it.

[@TPRM1]

Me too. “Uh oh, this [crash] is going to be expensive…actually, this is going to hurt…actually, this [crashing at 95 mph] kills people…this is going to kill me…oh well, I’ve had a good run.” (I was 28.) For the record: not a scratch. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@ChipsA17]

Well damn Hammond, opened my eyes. Doesn't matter what memories go, if they are happy then good. Wish I knew all this when my grandmother went though Alzheimer's.

[@ianscott5293]

100% agree with the description of the acceptance of death. I had an aviation near collision (Airprox) that I reported as 50ft horizontal and 20ft vertical. As it happened I went from surprise, to shock, to fear, to total resignation of impending death. But, it didn’t happen and once I knew then a massive rush of adrenaline leaving the system. Very strange to observe, almost as an outsider, the whole physiological process.

[@morturiom9651]

Romain Grosjean also said the exact same thing about his fireball crash in bahrain. pretty intresting

[@TPRM1]

Me too. Very quickly (2-3 seconds) went to, “Oh well.” 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@acs2735]

I love hearing Richard speak about this. Thanks for this DOCEO. I almost sense conflict in Richard. I wonder, illogical as it is to those who have never experienced near-death experiences, did Richard leave part of himself at that tree? How can life ever hold the same adventure after you have experienced the peace of the after-life?

[@sausagesauna291]

The bigger the channel, the bigger the guests ? I don't think it gets any bigger than Hammond 💙

[@Bumbaclartios]

I’m surprised people are surprised by how intelligent he comes across, he’s silly on top gear but he still came across as a very lucid, sharp guy. Very “awake”, clearly an active mind behind those big buggy eyes lmao

[@Timekeeper1200]

Fair play to the guy, to keep driving supercars and doing the challenges after the accident shows real guts

[@kabelotshita4510]

You have som sort of guardian angel Richard honestly

[@stormagorist6129]

Only second clip I've seen, both from this one interview, but powerful enough to subscribe just to find out what else there is.. Thanks for this.. And thank Richard.

[@alisoncleeton877]

So glad the Hamster survived💗 best Guardian Angel moment💗

[@scsutton1]

When Richard mentions the 'one more run', my heart sinks.

[@jackdayson]

I went to primary school in Elvington at the time of the crash and (although I don’t recall) supposedly the whole school could actually hear the crash in the airfield from the other end of the village when it occurred

[@kimbrandon7820]

Respect to you, such great guy, glad he good..love the Top gear, so much was had..

[@brak1381]

Hammond, never boring. Always a great pleasure hearing a man talk straight about being a man.

[@alexreadscomics6607]

What a beautiful conversation.

[@katesmiles4208]

An amazing guy and a great insight. Thanks for sharing.

[@katesmiles4208]

Has anyone else had an ** Im going to die now moment ** . The sruggle and fear just leaves its very curious. I cant explain it either.

[@samfinkjensen]

This comment is a year old but yeah same here

[@greenman717]

I had a near death experience last year. It's not scary at all when you face your end, you just melt into it and you're more alive than ever. I urge anyone who hasn't to research near death experiences because every single time people give more or less the same accounts. Living is scarier than dying

[@jenveyj8406]

I got the chills listening to this. Great interview!

[@kieranheneghan4132]

Never mind chasing bigger guests, just break down who you can get and it will worth the watch. Stay you bro honestly, it's not the guests it's YOU!

[@DawahDigital]

Richard Hammond in Diary of a CEO - this is insane!!

[@MJEYouTube]

Richard can be pretty deep it feels

[@qjarrangements4989]

I was sliding sideways in a median after getting run off the road. I was on the phone with my girlfriend at the time. I knew I was going to die. And all I could think was “I don’t want her to hear me die” so I threw the wheel to the left and countersteered. Spun out. Got back in the road and pulled over at a gas station. The weird thing is, I was okay with dying, but I couldn’t stand traumatizing her.

[@steveofstevens7557]

Hes never been the same since that crash. Definitely a different person since that crash

[@passionfruit5320]

He was bloodie lucky....

[@fujohnson8667]

Dude he had brain damage.

[@passionfruit5320]

@@fujohnson8667 he was in a coma and suffered amines. If he had brain damage he not have recovered. But he has changed , who wouldn't. He said he priorities his family more after that and he dose seam more to question ideas but still not post his humour to join in and poke fun.

[@I-See-In-The-Dark]

In what ways?

[@tonychan8558]

Here's what gets me about the crash.... The North Pole expedition was done only SEVEN.MONTHS after the crash! How the hell did the doctors clear Hammond on doing that trip???!?!?!!

[@ElDantae]

That was really deep, well said

[@DigitalDaffodil]

He sounds like Derren Brown when he speaks in a soft and considerate manner

[@karlsumner5594]

Having gone through similar trauma, I can totally relate to Richard’s experience of walking towards the tree.

[@tonyhughes7882]

What a star breaking down with Oliver

[@derekflynn3876]

great interview!

[@MartinLewis-n7l]

I forget all of my crash. I don't need to remember anything from it as a lesson, I already knew trees didn't move.

[@AEJones-dl9nn]

Damn hammond is an interesting listen.

[@moosecat]

During the 11 days that my wife was in a coma, I went from telling her, "Don't you dare die" to "It's okay to go" when all hope was effectively gone.

[@MJmarais241]

Jeremy even mentioned that if this crash didn't happen top gear would never have been that big. Even on the grand tour.

[@justicechad308]

Legend Legend Legend Legend

[@jbee9713]

It's ironic that you'd assume the grass and mud he rolled on would be softer and more forgiving, but that's what dug in and hit his head, but if he rolled on the tarmac, he wouldn't of had the head injury!

[@LCOF]

I haven’t watched it yet. What was in the photo that was abruptly tossed at him for the sole purpose of getting him to cry at the end?

[@tam310]

Always quite liked Richard Hammond, even if they all came across as a little bit annoying by the end of top gear as it was past its prime. He comes across well here though, a genuine and nice guy.

[@orbellau]

He definitely has an on-screen persona which isn’t being deployed here, luckily.

[@another_day4783]

@@orbellau i think they all do

[@colleenhaughton2273]

always like mr Richard dat wasn't your destiny sir 🙏🙏

[@marvinsinclair9245]

He validates life after

[@adamriale9065]

I feel like if you crash at over 300mph, you can talk about it all you want. Nobody is gonna give you flak for telling you the story a few times 😂

[@mupza04]

Gr8 insight

[@jenlee4354]

Where’s his question at the end?

[@Joker-yw9hl]

Dicky Hammond. Top man

[@tapiwapfavayi6463]

Ide swear richard hammond is slowly looking like Hugh Jackman as he is getting older😅

[@snfrd]

I thought the thumbnail was Al Pacino and Will Smith. Boy was I wrong.

[@purujitkulshreshtha2211]

It's always the last shot

[@michaelkean5969]

I like to think that as he’s sitting besides that Crooked tree about to drift off into the great Beyond he looks over to the road and sees Jeremy and James driving full pelt towards him screaming HAAMMMMONNNNDDD YOU IDIOT and they proceed to drag him back to life

[@scsutton1]

The thing is, I can see that happening.

[@robovac3557]

The sterile design of the set makes me uncomfortable.

[@Mizzington24]

MPH or KPH??

[@matucamatchola2565]

Audio is so low, can barely hear Hammond, sometimes can't even understand

[@simplyd8972]

That’s your problem

[@niallreid7664]

Crystal clear to me.

[@marvinsinclair9245]

I remember

[@dinosemr8141]

💖❤️💖👍💖❤️💖

[@mefilmmaking]

Hooyahh

[@philipdemaeyer1665]

320mph, to fast for fear 😰

[@majtom5421]

He has a weird habit of always turning his head away to the right not facing. A few times he just looks up.

[@aero2507]

Body language Do your homework

[@customzdream]

Will Smith interviewing Richard Hammond. Lucky Richard keep his mouth shut about Will's wife!😂

[@voteDC]

Your channel name does not represent your content. I'd have passed you over if this video hadn't auto played while I was in the bath.

[@shootermcgavin-gp7mf]

Bath again you stink

[@Id_Rambo_it]

Why does the way he describes it makes me laugh? Love Hammond, love he's ok, but he's a dumb and shit driver, which makes me laugh again 😂 stay safe Hammond you're a treasure 👍

[@simplyd8972]

Give your head a wobble Craig

[@geetee4037]

What an incredible story.

[@tonymontana897]

Your sound is way too low. Can you look into this please ?

[@megadisc1982]

Oops 🥑 Unity PRIMARY @ yew tee 27/10 Sun 6pm-8pm * 2 slot Unity SECOND @ yew tee 27/10 Sun 11am-1pm - 2 slot Level: MB or HB May u join us ?

[@shaunpowell7513]

Tèll the people iþ was an old tyre and not spèeď ŕàted

[@Romanov3579]

Boring guest

[@diddybopper2052]

Boring contribution.

[@joeproctor7]

Boring imput

[@Ianb793]

Utter DIV.

[@wasteoftime2187]

I’m sure Richard will care that you think he’s boring

[@pauloneill4471]

@@wasteoftime2187I’m sure dragon knight cares you told him this

[@ashtongrist]

Hes trans and presented big brother

[@TheG60528XiJinPing]

What