Post by PorkyPies on Sept 29, 2006 15:16:00 GMT 1
TOP Gear miracle man Richard Hammond stunned his rescuers yesterday as he switched hospitals – in the same helicopter that saved his life.
The TV star known to millions as Hamster was at death’s door when the air crew lifted him from the 300mph horror crash that almost claimed his life. But yesterday, eight days on, Richard walked a little and joked with astonished pilot Steve Cobb, who said: "Last time I saw you I thought you were dead!"
The flier added: "I thought I was going to land with a corpse. This time he was a walking, talking joker. I just can’t believe it’s the same man."
Richard, 36, had the helicopter ace and paramedics in stitches with his quips as he was taken from Leeds Royal Infirmary to a private hospital near his home in Gloucestershire.
The presenter smiled and laughed with hospital staff and wife Mindy, 34, as his stretcher was pushed on to the infirmary’s rooftop helipad.
There were no visible scars from the terrifying crash – though doctors said it would be six months before he is fully recovered.
He thanked his nurses before three firemen hoisted his stretcher into the back of the chopper.
Steve started the banter as he announced before take-off: "If anyone has an aversion to the sound of jet engines, cover your ears now."
Quick-witted Richard joked: "Blimey, that’s the last thing I can remember hearing – jet engines!"
The gag had Steve, 51, and paramedic Pete Valance, 48, laughing – and close to tears. It showed how quickly Richard had recovered from the dragster attempt at the British land speed record that left him with "a significant brain injury".
Steve, 51, had piloted the air ambulance when it rescued the BBC2 host from Elvington airfield, near York, after he crashed the jet-powered Vampire car during filming last Wednesday.
He and Pete were amazed yesterday after they were diverted to the infirmary from a routine test flight.
"We hadn’t been told the name of the patient we were collecting," said Steve. "I couldn’t believe it when I saw it was Richard. How he’s made such a quick recovery is beyond me. It’s nothing short of miraculous.
"He had been semi-conscious, rambling incoherently and had a nasty eye wound. We knew he had a serious brain injury and you fear the worst.
"To see him so much better so quickly was quite moving. He was laughing and joking as we secured him in the back of the helicopter.
"He’s still a bit wobbly on his feet, which is why he was on a stretcher. But that’s only to be expected after his brain has received such a shaking. There’s certainly nothing wrong with his sense of humour.
"Richard is the first person I have flown again after such a serious accident. To see him so much better in such a quick time was truly rewarding."
Mindy flew with Richard on the five-minute journey to Leeds/Bradford Airport, where he was transferred to a private twin-engined jet to take him to Filton, near Bristol.
There he was able to walk the few yards to an ambulance before driving to a nearby hospital – the only private facility in the south-west with an intensive care unit that specialises in neurosurgery.
It is 60 miles from Richard’s home in Redmarley, near Ledbury, Glos, and will allow Mindy and daughters Isabella, five, and Willow, two, to visit more often.
Consultant neurosurgeon Stuart Ross, who has been treating Richard, predicted he’d be "back to his old self" in about six months.
Mr Ross said: "He has had what I have already termed a significant brain injury. There is no getting around that."
But he said his patient was "doing well". Mr Ross went on: "There comes a period now which is unfortunately slow and is difficult to get through.
"He has to rest and allow his brain to recover – and that takes time."
The surgeon added: "I’m very pleased with his progress. Considering the potential injury he might have had, he has responded very well.
"He has made a very good recovery and I’m more than pleased that he has done well."
Mr Ross said Richard was now ready to go into rehabilitation. That involves supporting the brain to restore his normal thought processes.
