RICHARD HAMMOND

The TOP GEAR host suffered a "significant" brain injury after crashing a jet car at 300 miles (483 kilometres) per hour last week (20SEP06) as part of a TV stunt.

He was discharged from Leeds General Infirmary in Northern England to a private clinic near Bristol, which is closer to his wife and children.

Before boarding an air ambulance to make the journey, Hammond was snapped laughing and smiling with paramedics.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance chief executive MARTIN EEDE says, "The team said he seemed happy, lucid and was joking with the guys.

"He told them, 'This is certainly a lot better than the last time I was in here!'"

The BBC is currently launching an investigation into the incident.

Source: WENN