Richard Hammond has paid tribute to emergency workers on the 20th anniversary of his jet car crash.
The former Top Gear presenter was involved in a crash, while driving a jet powered Vampire dragster at 320mph in 2006, suffering severe head injuries as a result. Hammond had been filming for the popular BBC motoring show at the time, at the former RAF Elvington airbase near York.
Now, Hammond has taken to Instagram, marking 20 years since his horrific accident.
"20 years ago today, I came to an abrupt stop upside down in a Yorkshire field, convinced I was about to die", Hammond wrote. "A front tyre had blown on the jet-powered dragster I had been driving at over 300mph".
"I had pulled the lever to release the parachute and done my best to steer the car away from disaster, but disaster was, it seemed, my fate and having done everything I could do avert it, I gave myself over to that fate", he continued.
Hammond added that he "didn't scream" during the incident and insisted that it "wasn’t frightening", adding that "it simply occurred to me that the next thing on my to do list was to die".
"I am only here today to note this anniversary and write these words because of the work of the many people involved in rescuing me from the shattered car, flying me to hospital and treating me there".
Elsewhere, Richard Hammond said that he will be "forever grateful" to the members of the Air Ambulance and aftercare teams who helped him.
"I have had so many lucky career breaks, so many amazing adventures around the world and am father to the two happiest, kindest, most wonderfully talented and loving daughters", he said.
"But I would have seen none of them if these people hadn’t turned up to work that day and done their job", he added. "Thank you all from the bottom of my heart".
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In January last year, Richard Hammond and his wife, Amanda announced their plans to divorce after 28 years together.
"Our marriage is coming to [an] end, but we've had an amazing 28 years together and two incredible daughters", he added. "We will always be in each other's lives and are proud of the family we created, Hammond wrote on X.
The couple met in 2001, and share two daughters, Izzy and Willow.
