Everyone remembers Richard Hammond’s near-fatal crash back in 2006 in the Vampire jet car. But for the first time on camera, Richard reveals what went on in his head during the fallout of that life-changing event, including a very specific, heart-warming memory when he was in the depths of his coma.
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In complete alignment with my own idea of how we end our stint in this life. How “fortunate” you are to have been there – and returned because your wife shouted at you.
Thanks for sharing.
Wish I had seen this sooner. I could have tried that with my late bother.
I've spent a lot of years of my life not so much in a coma, but a kind of emotional prison.
That sense of dread, of 'i'm going to be in trouble, aren't i', of impending doom… I let it decide my course in life, for so, so very long.
Where i would be metaphorically in trouble for not being home in time, i would never come home to avoid the trouble… But the thing is, that dread, it never went away, for the longest time, it just stayed with me, and compounded, with every step i took, with every mile i walked, not being able to offload that sense, just letting it build up, it nearly crushed me.
That description, it's very familiar to me.
Elevated heart-rate, being aware of every pulse, that feeling you get in your gut almost as if you haven't eaten for weeks but without the hunger, the sense to get up and run away, the suppressing of panic as you're trying not to let all that compounded dread spill out at once, the guilt of running away from every chance of getting in trouble…
I don't know who i'm typing this for, nor who will read it.
But if you are still reading this, and if you recognize that same avoidance of consequence, don't run from it.
Don't let that pile of past mistakes trick you into thinking confrontation of that which you fear is worse than the avoidance once again adding to the ever-growing pile.
I ran until i no longer could, only to find out that i didn't have to run at all.
I ran myself broken, and it almost cost me my life, very literally.
Don't let it get to that.
If all your instincts are telling you that one phone call, that one opportunity, or that one choice in life is the worst mistake you can make, make that mistake with everything you've got.
Because reality is the only truth that matters.
Instincts, feelings, fear, it all comes and goes.
What you do is the only thing that remains.
If all your instincts are telling you to not do something, it means that doing that exact thing is more than worth it.
Because even if you don't succeed, you overcame the fear of trying.
A teacher of mine once said that the only way to learn is to fail miserably, but to fail slightly less miserably every time you try.
And if there's nothing left stopping you from trying, there's nothing preventing you from learning, improving, and eventually, succeeding.
To fail means to succeed another day.
To never fail means to never learn, and never improve.
Quite simple in theory, but it couldn't be more difficult in practice.
Try to fail at everything, and one day, you'll run out of ways to fail.
It's a lesson i'm still learning to this day.
Mr. Hammond, I know you'll never read this, but thank you. You (and your mates) make the world just a tiny bit brighter. Even your tale here is … bright? Bittersweet.
Thank you.
You know whats really sad, seeing you all grown up now into an older man knowing you wont be around forever.
bless him thanks Richard that was something special and even i welled up a little may you your wife and family have as many years as posible in peace and happieness much respact. i met you at topgear of the pops years ago i had long hair and a metallica cap on. changed a lot now and grew up lol take care bud
Just beautiful!
Is he still milking this? Stewart Lee was right about this guy.
Amazing. His mind must be reacting to the external influence and turning it into a dream, Mindy most likely saved his life.
I bet James will cut it down to make a coffee table…
Well than that answers the life after death debate than.
Deaths grasps was tightening and that dream was his after life.
Wow, that is incredible. 🤯 You have actually found your heaven on earth! It truly is a beautiful place. And your wife knew exactly how to get you back to the world, so if you want to spend eternity with each other, I do hope she knows how to get to that tree. ❤
Thank you so much for sharing that with us.
If I was in a coma my wife would ask if she could unplug me
If she didn't yell at you, those greed doctors would have put you to death.
Just the most fantastic video. Really hit
Believer or not, this story epitomises the power of love. The power that 2 connected souls can give to each other, the way they can communicate intrinsically when all else is gone. Richard stared at the light and her voice pulled him back without him knowing.
There is a higher power at play somewhere in this world, we will just never understand it, nor be able to replicate or touch it.
Absolutely gorgeous video
Who's cutting onions?! 😪😪
That tree is the base of Richard's stairway to Heaven.
My tree is a beach on Long Island NY where I spread my dad's ashes. I'm going to go fishing with him and someday. hopefully my brother, and long, long after that my sons.
Glad you turned around! Love your work
The only reason you’re here is because of the badgering of your wife.
You’ll never live that down.
When Hammond unfortunately passes in the next million years, I will find this tree and travel to honor him.
Wow. That was powerful. Actually made me cry. Glad Hammond was able to turn back and tell this story.
Cheers Mr Hammond. Thank you for sharing.
Well Thank you for that as I have always wondered what was going on in this moment.
Side note, realizing I may not have a similar peaceful place…😮
This was beautiful, Richard. Thank you for sharing your story. I'm glad that you have your tree. My trees are the black oaks of Northern California. I hope that my spirit always sits under one of those.
There's nothing like an angry wife to be able to scare you out of a coma.
I'm not crying… you are!
Holy moly. What a story