My car crash run in with Top Gear's Richard Hammond
A DRIVER involved in a collision with Richard Hammond has spoken about their friendly encounter at the roadside.
Four cars were involved in the low-speed smash, which happened at the Over roundabout near Gloucester on Saturday afternoon.
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RELAXED ATMOSPHERE: Richard Hammond.
Top Gear presenter Richard, who lives near Ross-on-Wye, was driving his Morgan Aeromax when he was involved in the collision with a BMW 3 Series, a Volvo V40, and a Nissan Almera.
The driver of the Volvo, who did not wish to be named, said the whole thing was a friendly affair.
The Gloucester man, said: "What happened was there must have been someone without brake lights, because someone in front went into the back of someone else.
"I was behind Richard, and in avoiding him I caught the BMW, and he went into the back of the Nissan. Nobody was hurt. It all happened at such a low speed.
"He was already out of the car when I got out, and I just went up to him and said 'didn't think I'd ever meet you like this, how do you do?'"
He added: "It was a bit of shock really. You don't expect to see celebrities at the side of the road like that.
"It was very casual and very friendly, quite a relaxed atmosphere at the side of the road. I didn't expect it, but he was just as chilled out and laid back as he is on television.
"We did phone the police, just to let them know because there were four cars at the roadside, and they pulled up to check up on us, but no-one was angry."
According to the driver, the most damage caused was to Richard's £100,000 Morgan, which was one of only 100 ever made .
He said: "The crash was so slow, but I suppose even something like that at low speed can do a lot of damage to a car like that."
Hammond, nicknamed the hamster, famously survived a 288mph dragster smash in 2006.
Sgt Paul Whale, of the Gloucestershire police, confirmed the vehicles involved but said that no prosecution was being launched by any of the collision parties.
He said: "There was a collision between four vehicles at approximately 12.30pm, but there were no injuries. It was all settled between the parties involved, who exchanged insurance details.
"No prosecution has been requested by anyone involved, and there was no recovery requested, so all vehicles involved must have driven away from the scene.
"Police attended the scene only to deal with traffic build-up."
21 Comments
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by John, Glos
Monday, August 10 2009, 9:07PM
“Whilst waiting at Traffic lights is the favored spot. Been standing there for a few minutes in a file then out of the blue you are being nudged along. Look in your mirror and it¿s plain to see the driver behind is looking down at a mobile and texting messages. No Gareth it¿s not you and don¿t let anyone convince you otherwise. More to do with not concentrating on the driving.”
by Gareth, Cheltenham
Monday, August 10 2009, 8:32PM
“I've not knowingly been hit by a tailgater but over 40 years of driving I have been hit in the rear end whilst stationary at three roundabouts, three sets of traffic lights, one traffic hold up and one Stop junction.
I've never had a bump deemed my fault but I'm beginning to think it's my fault!”
by RW, Tewkesbury
Monday, August 10 2009, 5:14PM
“Agree with you JD. The simple maxim is 'Only a fool breaks the two second rule'. On wet roads that becomes four seconds. And these are minimum times.”
by JD, St.Briavels
Monday, August 10 2009, 3:02PM
“No-one has yet mentioned that it is quite easy to avoid being hit by a tailgater.
Just slow your speed down, watch the road and traffic ahead to anticipate what is going to happen and this will allow you to avoid being put in a situation where you have to brake sharply and therefore prevent the tailgater having to brake sharply as well. Simples.”
by RW, Tewkesbury
Monday, August 10 2009, 2:15PM
“Gareth, I hope your latest post doesn't get zapped.
There are over 10,000 accidents a year caused by tailgaters and the police do nothing about it. I was lucky it happened to me on an urban road. Look at motorway pile-ups to see how dangerous tailgating really is.
I am curious about the failed brake light suggestion. If the lights were defective then surely the driver should be prosecuted, but as I understand the police are not prosecuting anyone.”
by The Enigma, gl1
Monday, August 10 2009, 1:48PM
“I heard Richard Hammond tied his shoe lace once while going for a jog near gloucester.”
by Gerbil, GLOS
Monday, August 10 2009, 1:24PM
“Wow, for this to be on Heart and in the local rag it must have been a really slow news weekend!!!!!! Glad everyone is ok, just goes to show that not enough importance is placed on the keep you distance/ stopping distance part of drving.”
by Gareth, Cheltenham
Monday, August 10 2009, 12:25PM
“Gareth of Cheltenham here.
No idea why they removed my comment TWICE! It was not offensive, reasonably well written and not much different in content to most of the others.
It only said that it's almost always the car that runs into the back of the other that is assumed to be to blame, driving too closely and/or fast.
Wonder how long before they remove this third attempt? Have I upset them somehow?”
by Kath, Chelt
Monday, August 10 2009, 12:24PM
“If I had been involved in a collisin with the Hamster, howeer minor, I would've absolutely insisted he popped back to my house so I could make sure he was completely OK!!!!!”
by Mallard, Gloucester
Monday, August 10 2009, 12:19PM
“Failed Brake light bulbs - the potential for a collision is high.
Unless your car is up the range, or fairly recent, you won't have a "tell tale" on your dash.
If you have to rely on other motorists to let you know you have brake lights out, you might have a long wait.
Its a shame that courtesy and civility have been replaced (largely) by ignorance and possibly even road rage.
There was a time that we realised that we "Are all in it together", and looked out for each other.”