Richard Hammond's chilling near-death jet car crash

Twenty years ago, Richard Hammond experienced a near-fatal accident while driving a jet-powered dragster at over 300mph. The catastrophic failure of a front tyre sent the vehicle off the track, resulting in a severe crash. Hammond recalled the moments leading up to the disaster, believing he was about to die after a tyre blew at extreme speed.

Following the crash, Hammond was airlifted to a hospital where he was treated for a swollen brain and damage to his frontal lobe. He remained in an induced coma for several weeks. Reflecting on the incident, he expressed deep gratitude to everyone involved in his rescue and medical treatment.

Hammond acknowledged that if not for the intervention of these individuals, he would not have had the opportunity to witness his daughters grow or experience further adventures. He dedicated his survival to their professional actions on that day, calling it a life-changing event.

The presenter later revealed the lasting effects of the accident, including depression, paranoia, and memory loss, which led him to prioritize his family's well-being over performing dangerous stunts. This incident was not his last encounter with serious accidents, as he was involved in another crash in Switzerland in 2017.