Hamster: 'I'm still depressed after my high-speed crash - and I can't park my car'

jack_christie · February 24th, 2008, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Eighteen months after the high-speed crash which almost killed him, Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond has revealed that he still suffers from emotional problems and memory loss.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...e_id=1770&ct=5

Quote:

“It’s been a bloody long journey and it’s still going. It’s when I consider how far I’ve come since I was in hospital that I realise there was a lot more to fix than I thought. The swelling has gone down, my brain is as mended as it’s likely to be. Now it seems to be more a case of rewiring itself. That’s assuming I’m sitting here talking to you and I’m not about to wake up in hospital, in some sort of Life on Mars moment . . . Now that was a difficult TV series to watch.”

http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/tol...cle3416209.ece

loose_unit · February 24th, 2008, 09:20 PM

Head Injuries are very difficult, especially one as bad as Hamsters.

No Boss · February 24th, 2008, 09:56 PM

I'm sure everyone, including him and his family, saw something like this coming. His crash was too intense and too death defying to come out completely unscathed.

This asks an interesting question.... Die young and leave everyone that loves you in pain? or Live through it and have to suffer, for the rest of your life, the pains of recovering from massive head trauma?

Interesting.

Whappeh · February 24th, 2008, 10:20 PM

For sure a bummer, and I got to say I feel for him. He seemed rather well during the last series, though... which is a bit confusing, if he is saying he's having trouble parking his car, since he did drive all through Europe in that GT3RS.

Prost264 · February 24th, 2008, 10:22 PM

So why is he still doing stuff/stunts for Top Gear? Why don't they just make him rest for a good while?

This is just bad news.

ESPNSTI · February 24th, 2008, 10:42 PM

I was sort of wondering if there wasn't a chance that this might happen, given the recent increase in news about links between depression and head injuries (in football players in the US).

I've had my share of concussions and at least one occurrence of short term amnesia (some of them from playing football) and I've struggled with depression for a long time.
Never thought about a possible link to the concussions until recently though.

Hammond has a family, good friends in the Top Gear crew and therapy to help him, so I think he should be in good hands.

Holiace · February 24th, 2008, 10:56 PM

All I can say is that I was very delighted to hear that he had survived and was recovering.

The brain is more or less the only thing we can't do surgery on.

BlaRo · February 25th, 2008, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Mindy also has a Harley-Davidson motorbike, a present from Hammond, who is customising a Harley Street Glide. “It’s going to be almost entirely black, with massive chrome wheels,” he says gleefully. “I want it to make children cry when it’s parked, let alone when it moves. Mind you, Mindy and I will still be the world’s smallest and least intimidating motorcycle gang.”

I fully approve. Granted, it's a tad cliche, but at least he's got the general idea down right.

Polly · February 25th, 2008, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holiace

All I can say is that I was very delighted to hear that he had survived and was recovering.

The brain is more or less the only thing we can't do surgery on.

wat?

No brain-surgery in Sweden?

Jocó · February 25th, 2008, 04:35 AM

People with head injuries always need time to recover, and Hammond's injury was really serious indeed. He may never recover completely, but as long as he gets better and better it's good.

I love this bit:

Hammond told the Sunday Times that despite the crash he still loves presenting Top Gear, which starts a new series in the summer. He said there was a lot of banter between himself and co-hosts Jeremy Clarkson and James May.

"But we're all best friends and we love each other dearly. Don't tell Clarkson I said that - he'll punch me next time he sees me."

images/smilies/biggrin.gif

Ottobon · February 25th, 2008, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by No Boss

I'm sure everyone, including him and his family, saw something like this coming. His crash was too intense and too death defying to come out completely unscathed.

This asks an interesting question.... Die young and leave everyone that loves you in pain? or Live through it and have to suffer, for the rest of your life, the pains of recovering from massive head trauma?

Interesting.

I worked with atleast one guy who survived very brutal head trama (nearly beat to death with bricks being thrown at his head while he was pinned on the ground), he crazy as hell, but now that its 4-6 years on i would easily say i'm happier hes alive and i think he feels the same. Crazy, but entertaining i suppose.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jocó

"But we're all best friends and we love each other dearly. Don't tell Clarkson I said that - he'll punch me next time he sees me." [/i]

lol

aaurora · February 25th, 2008, 04:49 AM

Thank you for posting that article - albeit it was rather sad to read knowing that he suffers from depression, emotional issues and memory loss.

In regards to why does he not rest and not do things like that anymore - aren't you supposed to get back on the bike and carry on when these things happen? You can't live in fear forever due to your past. But I am sure he is MUCH more careful now and may forgo future extremely high speed activities.

Jocó · February 25th, 2008, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaurora

In regards to why does he not rest and not do things like that anymore - aren't you supposed to get back on the bike and carry on when these things happen? You can't live in fear forever due to your past. But I am sure he is MUCH more careful now and may forgo future extremely high speed activities.

He shouldn't have gone back to work that early though, even he admits it now.

scathing · February 25th, 2008, 01:19 PM

I haven't had head trauma, and I can drive OK but I can't park to save myself.

Flynn · February 25th, 2008, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ottobon

I worked with atleast one guy who survived very brutal head trama (nearly beat to death with bricks being thrown at his head while he was pinned on the ground), he crazy as hell, but now that its 4-6 years on i would easily say i'm happier hes alive and i think he feels the same. Crazy, but entertaining i suppose.

lol

Jesus christ that's aweful what kind of country do you have to live in for something like that to be done to you? Sounds like drunken violence or gang brutality images/smilies/blink.gif

As for Hammond, he is barely a man he's so small I would be more intimidated by a spanial than him images/smilies/biggrin.gif

Edit: Does hammond get some kind of disabled parking benefit for his parking problem?

Ish · February 25th, 2008, 02:13 PM

I guess it makes sense that he was the one to try out that new Lexus with its automatic parking system.

Kenyeres · February 25th, 2008, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jocó

"But we're all best friends and we love each other dearly.

Oh my God, I never thought I would be reading that from a TG presenter talking about another TG presenter
It seems he really damaged his brain images/smilies/biggrin.gif

Alasondro Alegré · February 25th, 2008, 07:10 PM

...and there's yet another mention of a failed "land speed record attempt"...when will people learn?

I must say when the show came back in January, I thought it was much too early. I mean, we'd heard about a 6 month recovery period, maybe more, and there he was when only a mere 4 months had passed...he did look healthy enough, but it's obviously not that simple.

aaurora · February 25th, 2008, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jocó

He shouldn't have gone back to work that early though, even he admits it now.

Yeah, he did go back to work very early..... images/smilies/dry.gif

Poor Hamster.

SupraSkylineSTI · February 26th, 2008, 02:41 AM

Has anyone ever considered the fact that he just might be saying these things to file a law suit, to shwo that things are still not OK, and that he has injuries. I mean c'mon, out of the blue he admits his head hurts and he forgets stuff. I smell some moo-lah in his near future.

February 24th, 2008, 09:56 PM	#3
No Boss Neener, neener, I banned your title! Joined: Oct 8th, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: 'mericuh, someday the UK. Age: 23 Posts: 6,536 Car: 2005 Volvo S60 R Rep Power: 67	I'm sure everyone, including him and his family, saw something like this coming. His crash was too intense and too death defying to come out completely unscathed. This asks an interesting question.... Die young and leave everyone that loves you in pain? or Live through it and have to suffer, for the rest of your life, the pains of recovering from massive head trauma? Interesting. __________________ Changed the avatar, but Blaro , JacobFox and No Boss - still RickRolling since 1988.

February 24th, 2008, 10:20 PM	#4
Whappeh Joined: Aug 21st, 2006 Last Online: 10:05 AM Location: Orlando, FL Age: 22 Posts: 600 Car: 05 Mazda RX8 Rep Power: 27	For sure a bummer, and I got to say I feel for him. He seemed rather well during the last series, though... which is a bit confusing, if he is saying he's having trouble parking his car, since he did drive all through Europe in that GT3RS. __________________

February 24th, 2008, 10:42 PM	#6
ESPNSTI Your Guide to TG/FG Joined: Dec 9th, 2003 Last Online: 01:24 PM Location: Decorah, IA Age: 36 Posts: 4,296 Car: 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STI (USDM) LFS Status: Rep Power: 34	I was sort of wondering if there wasn't a chance that this might happen, given the recent increase in news about links between depression and head injuries (in football players in the US). I've had my share of concussions and at least one occurrence of short term amnesia (some of them from playing football) and I've struggled with depression for a long time. Never thought about a possible link to the concussions until recently though. Hammond has a family, good friends in the Top Gear crew and therapy to help him, so I think he should be in good hands. __________________ Top Gear Episode Guide (Excel) \| Top Gear Episode Guide (HTML) \| Top Gear Classic Episode Guide (HTML) Other Top Gear Guides \| Fifth Gear Guides \| Clarkson's TV/Video List \| Tiff Needell's TV/Video List

February 25th, 2008, 04:35 AM	#10
Jocó Not A Dude Joined: Jan 5th, 2008 Last Online: 05:29 PM Location: Hungary Age: 19 Posts: 745 Rep Power: 12	People with head injuries always need time to recover, and Hammond's injury was really serious indeed. He may never recover completely, but as long as he gets better and better it's good. I love this bit: Hammond told the Sunday Times that despite the crash he still loves presenting Top Gear, which starts a new series in the summer. He said there was a lot of banter between himself and co-hosts Jeremy Clarkson and James May. "But we're all best friends and we love each other dearly. Don't tell Clarkson I said that - he'll punch me next time he sees me." __________________ Supporting Williams, DC and Kubica

February 25th, 2008, 04:49 AM	#12
aaurora Not A Dude Joined: Feb 23rd, 2008 Last Online: 08:26 AM Location: Brisbane, Australia Age: 27 Posts: 478 Car: Mazda6 Luxury Sports Rep Power: 17	Thank you for posting that article - albeit it was rather sad to read knowing that he suffers from depression, emotional issues and memory loss. In regards to why does he not rest and not do things like that anymore - aren't you supposed to get back on the bike and carry on when these things happen? You can't live in fear forever due to your past. But I am sure he is MUCH more careful now and may forgo future extremely high speed activities. __________________ I object to the beige

February 24th, 2008, 09:20 PM	#2
loose_unit Joined: Jul 4th, 2005 Last Online: October 3rd, 2008 Posts: 10 Rep Power: 0	Head Injuries are very difficult, especially one as bad as Hamsters.

February 24th, 2008, 10:22 PM	#5
Prost264 Joined: Jun 30th, 2006 Last Online: 04:08 AM Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Age: 20 Posts: 2,159 Car: 1995 Subaru Legacy Rep Power: 28	So why is he still doing stuff/stunts for Top Gear? Why don't they just make him rest for a good while? This is just bad news.

February 24th, 2008, 10:56 PM	#7
Holiace Joined: Aug 29th, 2007 Last Online: August 27th, 2008 Location: Sweden Age: 18 Posts: 119 Car: I don't have one right now :( Rep Power: 5	All I can say is that I was very delighted to hear that he had survived and was recovering. The brain is more or less the only thing we can't do surgery on.

February 25th, 2008, 01:19 PM	#14
scathing Joined: Nov 24th, 2007 Last Online: September 12th, 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 304 Car: Datsun Rep Power: 7	I haven't had head trauma, and I can drive OK but I can't park to save myself.

February 25th, 2008, 02:13 PM	#16
Ish Joined: Jan 16th, 2008 Last Online: June 27th, 2008 Location: York, Maine USA Age: 20 Posts: 31 Car: 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier...for now. Rep Power: 0	I guess it makes sense that he was the one to try out that new Lexus with its automatic parking system.

February 25th, 2008, 07:10 PM	#18
Alasondro Alegré Joined: Nov 23rd, 2006 Last Online: 09:40 AM Location: Portugal Posts: 556 Rep Power: 21	...and there's yet another mention of a failed "land speed record attempt"...when will people learn? I must say when the show came back in January, I thought it was much too early. I mean, we'd heard about a 6 month recovery period, maybe more, and there he was when only a mere 4 months had passed...he did look healthy enough, but it's obviously not that simple. __________________ James is unlikely to achieve maturity - school report sitting in Captain Slow's attic.

February 26th, 2008, 02:41 AM	#20
SupraSkylineSTI Joined: Nov 9th, 2007 Last Online: October 2nd, 2008 Posts: 15 Car: 2006 BMW Z4 Rep Power: 0	Has anyone ever considered the fact that he just might be saying these things to file a law suit, to shwo that things are still not OK, and that he has injuries. I mean c'mon, out of the blue he admits his head hurts and he forgets stuff. I smell some moo-lah in his near future.

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