Hopes rise for Richard as he is moved out of ICU

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The TV presenter, suffering from brain injuries following his 300mph jet car smash, has been moved out of intensive care.

A spokesman for Leeds General Infirmary, where the 36-year-old was airlifted following the crash on Wednesday afternoon, said: "Richard Hammond is making satisfactory progress. This morning he has been moved out of intensive care and on to a high dependency unit."

The positive news comes as pressure mounts on the BBC over the safety of its Top Gear stunts.

Staff on the programme have revealed "very, very serious concerns" over safety and working hours - and police and health and safety officials have launched probes into the accident.

A source close to the programme said: "The pressures on the Top Gear team are just enormous. They are working all the hours they humanly can."

Crew members were reportedly planning to air their concerns at a meeting with programme executives this week.

In a recent incident, staff allegedly narrowly avoided injury when a car skidded off a test track during filming.

The source told TV industry website Broadcastnow: "The test driver wasn't happy about the position of the crew but they are expected to get the shots that are needed. People working on the show have been really concerned about health and safety and having to work from dawn until dusk."

The BBC denied the near-miss and a spokesman said the planned meeting this week was "categorically not about health and safety". He added: "All BBC programmes, including Top Gear, take health and safety extremely seriously."

Nevertheless, if the BBC is found to have failed in its care of duty to the TV host, it could face criminal charges.

Today his fellow Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson told how he had raised a smile from his injured colleague. "I said, 'The reason you're here is because you're a crap driver.' He then smiled at me. It was an amazing moment," he said.