Richard Hammond explains what he experienced during his coma | 310mph Crash 

He became a meme for his intense crashes. He became a legend for surviving all of them.

This is quite moving. How he manages to pull off telling this story without breaking out in tears is impressive…

I think we can all agree Hammond is one of the luckiest men in the world. Not just because he survived, but because he found someone who loved him so much that they wanted to be by his side until the very end.

I yelled to my grandmother when she was in a coma. I knew the last sense to leave someone is thier hearing. I held her hand, then yelled to her to squeeze my hand if she could hear me.. she squeezed gently. I told her we loved her and that we would see her again.. she squeezed again. That was 30 years ago but feels like last week. I miss that kind old woman. 😊

Richard Hammond was the last person I was expecting to make me cry today. What a fantastic story. I’m so glad you turned back from the tree!

Hammond really had a protagonist moment. It was like he had he choice to remain in his happy place forever, or return to Mindy and his other loved ones. She really called him back from the dead with their bond.

"I know it's where I'll go" is such a comforting message. The idea that people who may be dying or in an induced coma like Hammond was can have solace and comfort in their last moments, enjoying a place they love and remember happily. It makes the idea of someone's most painful physical point much easier, because it could be leading to such mental peace for them. Idk, this just makes me emotional.

I came across this video the day after my sister succumbed to emphysema. She had been sedated and on a ventilator for several days with no improvement, so yesterday she was taken off the ventilator and allowed to pass peacefully. She loved the outdoors and hiking, and hearing Richard speak of his experience while he was unconscious gives me hope that her last days were spent in her mind somewhere beautiful. Thank you Richard Hammond for this, and for all of the hours of entertainment you’ve given us over the years. RIP Jen.

He's so lucky to have survived two life threatening car crashes in the Vampire and the Rimac. Cannot imagine what it was like for Mindy and his girls

Crazy to think about what really goes through in the minds of coma patients. Glad that Hammond survived his and was able to give his story of what happened.

thank you Mindy for scaring him so much by screaming at him that he stopped the journey around the tree. he gave me so much joy with many journeys he shared with us after that.

Sounds like he's made his peace with dying. He went up to the brink, looked over, and saw it wasn't anything to be afraid of. As a veteran who's had his share of near-death experiences, I can relate. i don't fear death, I just see it as the next step.

Before my nan passed away, she told my dad, "I feel like I'm out at sea, and I cant get back to shore". This was a brilliant woman, who had started lose her marbles one could say in the later years of her life, and for her to say something so poignant out of the blue, really made an impact on all of us. She fought to stay alive for a few more days, but passed away peaceful. I like to think she just accepted being out at sea and found some kind of happiness being out there. Much love Richard, it wasn't your time.

I still can't believe we almost lost this legend, probably one of the men who most shaped my childhood along with clarkson and may.

this made me cry. as a brain injury survivor that was in a coma i had a very similar experience of a very vivid dream of being in my most favorite place. and the overwhelming feeling of being in trouble and not knowing why. i remember being in an old growth forest on vancouver island. and walking to a bridge. and the feeling of being in BIG TROUBLE if i crossed that bridge was intense. my ex wife was by my side through the whole thing. and its hard to explain.. but i just knew.

Thank you, Richard Hammond for sharing this with the rest of us. We may not, all of us, go through the crash you went through and live to tell the tale, but we all know we will walk past that tree at some point. Thank you.

Think we all need to give Mindy a huge round of applause. No one can comprehend what she must’ve gone through and its not appreciated enough what she has potentially saved. Thank you Mindy, from the bottom of our hearts. You are a true hero.

My wife passed two weeks ago. We played her playlist of her favorite songs while we sat with her. This is the best thing I've seen on social media in a very long time. Thank you Mr. Hammond.

I've never seen this clip before but it hit me hard at the thought of what his wife was going through when she was screaming at him, the pure pain of the thought of losing him must have been harrowing, such a lucky man for surviving and having such a loving wife to call him home.

This is genuinely one of the most beautiful pieces of broadcasting I have ever seen. If you read this, Richard, you're becoming one of the most engaging, authentic and emotionally honest people on telly, internet, whatever. I think this kind of 'content' - being you, telling stories, bringing the viewer on a journey to live through your eyes and feel what was in your heart - is the best 'content' you have ever produced. I really, really hope you do more of it.

My close friend was hit by a suv while we were riding bikes. He was broken everywhere on the body, spine,legs,face, ribs,collapsed lungs, internal bleeding, compartment syndrome in leg, massive head trauma. He was in a coma in the ICU. His family let me visit and they were all whispering when talking so I just blurted his name out real loud and said "hey Jason, it's Brett" he immediately awakened. His mom almost passed out and everyone was kinda freaking out. He looked at me and moved his hand to ask me what happened. He went on to recover and is now a tenured professor. Of course that doesn't always work but it did for him.

This is probably one of the most honest, heart-felt, touching and purest videos I have ever seen. Its loaded with the most comforting of messages, whilst also being delivered with that same, and very subtle (and calming), tone that Hammond has. It is beyond special, and I feel this is one of Hammond's highlights of his entire career. I salute you!

As an ICU nurse this brief story moved me tremendously. Im glad you were able to recover from that crash.

Hey Richard. I know your never going to read this, but I genuinely want you to know that this video has helped me through 2022, the worst year of my life so far. This entire year I felt alone, lost and depressed, with no light at the end. But I remember watching this for the first time mid way through the year and it made me understand that I’m not alone and that I just need to break out of this shell I created. I’m still recovering and in therapy, but I want you to know that this video helped me. We are all so glad that you are here today still being the funny man you are 😊

He’s still with us after all these years of brutal crashes. This man will never die.

13 years ago my mum fell into a diabetic coma for almost two months, I’d wait by her bedside every day wondering if she could hear us or what she was thinking, it’s relieving to know she probably was conscious of our presence and could’ve been reliving the best memories in her head before she passed ❤️

That just blew me away. I was not ready for that. What an incredible insight into a difficult time. I'm glad Hamster is still with us.

The fact not only is he alive, not only is he walking but he also had no major permanent brain damage He’s literally build different

“Oh, a new video. 4 minutes, short and sweet.” 90 seconds later, full-blown weeping. Really beautiful. Thanks for this.

My dad lost his leg and was in a coma for something like 4-6 weeks. He recalled a very similar story except at the end he spoke to a bear (he was known as the bear in his town and had a tattoo of one on his shoulder) who asked him if he was ready to be judged. My dad hadn’t lived the best life especially with me and my sister who he rarely spoke too and or made bad decisions around. He pleaded and begged the bear if he could go back and make it right and said he would give up everything he was doing wrong. He also mentioned he would be judged based off his actions to that moment but before he died he wanted to have a chance to make things right for me and my sister. The bear told him he would grant him a chance to make things right and for his wrong doings to that point he would have to sacrifice something and he wouldn’t find out till he was back. He agreed and the bear told him he wouldn’t have another chance like this. And vanished at which point my father woke up and was completely different person from that day forward. I hope if I am ever at a point of near death my father is my guide.

This was unbelievably moving, poignant, touching, and truthful. I didn’t expect to be moved to tears by this, but alas, here we are.

If he tells this beautiful story this calm and smiling, then why am I crying like a baby while listening it? 🥺🥺😭 He always suprises me, when he shows his deep, mature, emotianal, "serius" self. But I love him enev more and more with everytime

I met Richard Hammond at the Classic Motor Show in Birmingham, such a genuinely decent person, honoured to have been among so many people asking for autographs and pictures, and when I thanked him for the years of entertainment and the smiles he put on mine and my family’s faces, he simply said, the pleasure was all his. That speaks volumes, we’re all so happy to still have you around, Richard.

A fine piece of film. I too sustained a serious brain injury, fell into a coma while in the hospital and came close to death. My morphine-induced experience was chaotic rather than poetic like Richard's. At one point I floated in the clouds with gladiators and cherubs. Later on I drifted like a ghost through strangely empty wards, repairing any broken beds, before escaping the hospital via underground tunnels which led me out into the Scottish countryside. Finally I took to Baking bread in the (deserted) hospital kitchen, and when I woke up after what turned out to be several days of unconsciousness was heard to mumble, "Where's the bread I baked?"

When someone is so connected to his land that he knows where he came from, where he loves to walk now, and where he will go. It's a kind of comfort that many wish they had.

In June of 2016 I had my 18th birthday in the hospital after being flung out of the back of a pickup truck and my head bounced off the asphalt. I don’t remember exactly how long I was asleep for but it was somewhere between 24 and 72 hours. I can relate to the vivid dream and profound sense of being ok with the fact you will die. My vivid dream lasts just a few seconds, but it was very vivid and it’s simply me flying over a forest like I’m Superman. This video is something else when you can relate to it man. Thanks for sharing the story Hammond.

I recently had to let my old man go after suffering a cardiac arrest and being in a coma for 4 days. Richard you have really eased my pain knowing my dad too would have been in his happy place, unaware of the reality his body was going through. You’ve made my day mate.

I know it isn’t really comparable to the rest, but I think this is the most beautiful and artistic piece of media Richard Hammond has ever done. Thank you for this, man. I hope, in everyone’s darkest hour, they have someone to lead them home.

I was expecting just a story, and all of a sudden you grabbed my heart and squeezed it with this story. Kinda lost for words right now...

I was in a coma due to a TBI and a LOT of other injuries,and airlifted to hospital,I dreamt and REMEMBER NOTHING from my coma,the night of my industrial accident my family was told to say goodbye,the brain surgeons didn’t expect to survive that first night in hospital as my GCS was 6 of 15,but like hammond,here I am,

Shoutout to Richard for sharing his personal moment and what he experienced... reliving and remembering stuff like this is really tough. Bless you man, i'm so glad you made it and am living your best life, and Mindy to helping him back! As someone who has dealt with head injuries and neurological things, I'm sitting here crying because it hits pretty close to home

Watching Hamster mature into an old man like this is heartwarming. He was so young when he crashed and now he is wise.

I keep coming back to this video. I know there’s lots of silliness involved with Hammonds crashes, but there is something very comforting about this video.

His book describing the accident and the aftermath, was a real tug at the heart.

I have been in a medically-induced coma so this really does strike a chord. The dreams really are incredibly vivid and unlike anything I've experienced before or since. They started off really bad, dreams where I was being tortured or hunted, including by nurses. Dreams where I was trapped underground or unable to escape, even one was I buried alive, throughout I was always thirsty - reflecting real thirst as I was intubated. All these dreams would eventually, and somewhat miraculously, end up with my safety realised once I was back with my parents. However, I had to fight, I had to escape, I had to resist whatever appalling thing was happening in order for that to happen. Eventually, these dreams started to get better, indeed, nearly perfect. The perfect Christmas, the perfect holiday, everything was warm, cosy, safe and bountiful. I had all that I wanted. The complete opposite of the nightmares. However, even though these dreams were verging on perfection, at one point, I became aware, that, nice those dreams were, they were not real. I became aware of a password I could use to get out and I used it. I cannot remember any dreams after that. So, if you're ever in the terrible situation Mindy was, or my parents were, and I hope with all my heart that you never are, my advice would be this: Keep talking to them, tell them where they are and what's happening. I genuinely believe I must have been aware of my parents' constant presence and it may even have saved my life. I believe my psyche was fighting for my life and the will to fight meant that I did live. My parents did not allow me to give up and that may be why I am here. Maybe Mindy shouting at Richard, was exactly the same. I see a lot of parallels.

I can't even type the story without choking up so I'll keep it short. My step dad was in a coma for 28 days. Not a long time. But while he was in his coma he saw many things. He wrote them all down for us, much of it out of any sort of order. Here comes the hard part. Deep breath. He drew my mom a map. They studied it together. And they sealed it in an envelope. My step dad passed in July of 2015 and I promised him that the envelope will be in my mom's hands when she passes away too. He drew her a map to their special place, where they can spend eternity. And I'm thankful to him for giving my mother something to believe in, a reason to keep going and the comfort that she has a place to go when she is done here. Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Happy holidays. Happy Hanukkah. All the other cool holidays I can't spell correctly. Be safe and hug your loved ones just a few extra seconds this year.

Millions of us are grateful that we get to enjoy your humor, wisdom and work. And glad you get to still be a dad. Cheers sir!

A beautiful sentiment in a beautiful landscape. May we all find such peace.

I'm 21 and I genuinely broke down into tears listening to this, I understand it could be seen as weird but Hammond May and Clarkson were immensely influential to me growing up, I'd go through a lot of painful and traumatic experiences be it from school or home issues watching these 3 brought me comfort, As well is me not having friends at the time I did bond with them as much as a lonely kid across the world could, I've never met them and I probably never will but they've done so much for me in the short time I've been on this earth and I'll forever be thankful for that.

In 2021 I spent 6 weeks in the ICU in an induced coma. My body stopped working but my brain did not. Thank you for sharing this. I felt like I was there for a year, and it took me a long time to unpack everything when I awoke. I have very really memories that I know didn't happen involving loss of family. It's taking some work to shed those memories. This time last year I was learning how to stand on my own. Learning how to walk. Now I can jog. Everyone has a story. Thank you for sharing yours.

I don't know why but watching from Top Gear and other projects, Richard, at least to me, seems to get wiser after every experience. Be it inside of a wind tunnel, understanding a jet engine and now simply telling us the history of how he came back from a coma. Please take care of yourself, I love watching your stuff and love learning about things that I didn't even had the slightest idea of how they work. Thank you for your work.

This speaks so loudly to me, on a huge level. What a man and what a legend, thankyou Hammond for sharing this with the world.

Having lost a mate in a car crash pretty recently, this is quite comforting to hear from someone i feel like i've known for a long time even if it's only from the internet and tv. I genuinely do believe there's something afterwards and i'm just waiting to see him again, tell him how much everyone loved him and having a beer with him again....someday.

Richard always comes across as the fun-loving, perhaps slightly dim member of the group, always smiling and cheerful. Moments like this and his "favorite place" video give you a glimpse into the REAL Richard underneath that persona. All 3 of the TG/GT guys I'd love to have a whiskey with and just talk about life, each in their own way is a fascinating person. Hard to believe I've spent almost half my life watching their antics, and seeing them age alongside me (almost the same ages) really brings into focus just how precious every moment is, and to live like it's your last day on earth.

I’m not a religious person, or even particularly spiritual, but I don’t know how you can hear stories like this and not have a deep appreciation for the ways in which we are all connected. Absolutely moved to tears.

incredible story. thanks to you for filming and thanks to Hammond for sharing

At 22, i fell into a diabetic coma. Then developed septic shock. I was in a coma on a ventilator for 34 days. I spent 3 months in hospital after that relearning how to be independent. Its.... actually really healing to listen to someone else describe their experience. There are many similarities despite our different situations. Especially about the vivid dreaming and the connection between your loved ones supporting you and talking to you and how it influences the dreams you have. My mom was by my side every day, constantly talking to me. Thank you, this brought me just a bit more peace. Being alive when you certainly should be dead is a feeling that's not easy to cope with.

I didn't expect that this morning. He seems like such a pleasant, genuine person. That was very moving.

Amazing, thank you. Very Glad you're still with us.

Amazing story. Glad you're here to share it with us.

I suffered a very bad head injury almost 20 years ago. He's not exaggerating when he talks about what your brain does when you aren't...mmm, exactly in control of it. I very much understand what he went through and is, in all probability, still going through. Retraining your brain to do even the most basic things that you've always taken for granted as natural is a very frustrating and humbling experience. It definitely changes a person. I'm very glad he shared his story because things like this tend to be quite personal in nature. It's nice to know that others out there understand.

Richard, I think this is the best work you have ever done. Over all the years, all the Top Gear episodes and The Grand Tour - you've made me laugh and cry... This beautiful tribute to life and your wife Mindy, 'yelling you back' is the most memorable video you have ever produced. Thank you, for sharing this Mr. Hammond.

I'm so glad your still with us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bless you

I‘ve literally never sobbed so much in my life. What an incredibly grounding and raw story. Thank you for sharing something so personal with us ❤️

I remember reading this in his book but.... actually seeing that place, seeing that tree, and RH himself telling us about it..... oh my God!!! Really hard times for him and his lovely family. Mindy's love for him saved his life... You're a very strong man RH. I'm so grateful that you were given a second chance.

My grandmother told me of the experience she had in the hospital when she was struggling to recover from surgery. She told me that she was walking down a dirt dirt road from her childhood, she walked for some time and saw her husband and my mother who had passed away. They met up and talked for a bit, but they eventually said they had to go and they told her that she couldn't go with them, my grandmother begged them to let her come with but they just walked away. after that she woke up and made a full recovery.

Thank you so much for this you absolute legend. 🙏🏻

This is the first time in a long time I have genuinely burst into tears. Your love for each other strikes so honestly and it's very beautiful. thank you for sharing.

Oh man, this gave me chills! Mindy loved him enough to scream ‘NO, don’t you dare!’ to her husband in what would have been a very quiet ICU, and Richard loved his wife enough to listen and come back to her! Beautiful story, thank you for sharing it with us!

I have no words to express how much it means that you shared this with us. You don't know us, but you have millions of "friends" that genuinely care for you (and I guess the "other two"). And you shared a PROFOUNDLY difficult and personal story with us. Thank you, Richard.

Thanks for turning back mate, many can’t. Love your work. 🇦🇺🦘👍

This is just beautiful. Thank you for sharing

My now late father once told me a similar tale to this. He technically died for around 2 minutes on the operating table, during that time he also went on a journey to where he had once lived as a boy. But when he saw that it was not as he remembered it, he decided to turn back.

My dad came out of a coma and was convinced a lot of the stuff he dreamt was real. He came out with loads of stories about where he thought he was and what he had witnessed. Took him a long time to come to terms with that stuff not being real.

I'm glad you are still with us. That's a beautiful memory.

Beautiful and comforting, thank you for sharing this Richard.

My youngest brother passed away earlier this year. He was in and out of comas and eventually the fight was too much for him and he walked past that tree. Stay strong people.

My grandfather passed away last night due to liver cancer and heart failure I hope in his last moments he had a comforting memory and a dream where he was away from all of the hurting and just felt peace. I really want to feel some sort of peacefulness and Richard's experience gave me something for me to think about my grandfather's last moments and be happy for him and at least to think he was relaxed and not hurting.

This video has been recommended so many times, finally sitting in my car eating a quick lunch scarfing down my meal I decide to watch this quick 4 minute video. Was not expecting to have this many emotions swirling around. A true gift this trio have been, together and individually.

incredibly genuine story and feeling and thoughts. regardless of the state of mind. thanks for sharing Hammond. been watching you since i was a teen

It's wonderful that in some way Mindy saved Richard's life, she brought him back with love-filled yelling and shouting. I'm thankful she did that.

I know your feeling man! 1st of January 2008 I was in a horrible car crash that ended my dreams of becoming a athlete and a craftsmanship, I was in a coma for 3 months (1 month of the accident and 2 months of induced coma) In that time a lady all covered in close from head to toes was every day by me and took me to every single happy place that I ever had, we visited the farm I grew up on the most of my life. In reality everyone was trying to keep me alive, and every place I visited was people that came to say there goodbyes at that time. When it was time to wake up that lady just told me that everything was going to be okay. Months later people started to tell me what actually happened in hospital and it gave me shills. When I visited the farm in my dream, that people came to say their farwells, and the same with the rest of the places... When I went back to the ICU to go say thanks to everyone who had been taking care of me I asked them about the lady I saw every day. They said that a few people who were fighting for their lives in that ICU also witnessed her.

I so enjoy and respect your story and the brilliant work you do Mr. Hammond. I hope you do so for many years to come. Respectfully, Tim

i just wanted to say something, i almost never leave comments on youtube. But your programs on TV, and here on youtbe have brought me so much joy over the years, and i just wanted you to know that you are a fantastic person Mr Hammond. And im so happy you survived that crash, and all the other crashes over the years. and im glad that you can still walk to that tree. Best wishes to you Hammond.

One thing that can't be questioned is Hammond's bravery, he has a big pair of brass ones on him. He may be small, but he has done big things. He has faced the tiger and survived. I'm glad he made it back to share his story with the rest of us.

I'm 23 and to echo every comment here I just want to express my gratitude for this story and everything Hammond and Co. Have meant to me in my life. I became an engineer because of top gear, I love cars and bikes because of it and appreciate the beauty of the designs put forth. I just bought my first project motorbike to restore (it doesn't start and is older than me) and I feel like a child at Christmas every time I go into the shed to work on it, I owe a lot to all the top gear presenters but the love and appreciation of bikes is all Hammond. Thanks for the stories mate, glad you didn't walk around that tree. PS. If you like the lake District you'll love Irelands west coast, I've connections in tourism so hit me up if what's next, drivetribe or Hammond himself wants to visit and will be happy to set you up with info and free accomodation, thanks guys.

Wow! Thanks for sharing Bruv. What a amazing event. Glad your still with us. Sköl

Richard is just such a genuine nice guy, one of those people who you could just chat to for hours and hours. Im glad we're all lucky enough to still have him around

Thanks Richard. I was in a similar situation, in a coma for a month and half due to toxic sepsis (flesh eating bacteria). Had a variety of dreams, etc...one of which involved John Travolta driving his blue Chevelle into the carport next to my bed. I asked him what was he doing here, and he said he got this job of delivering medical products to this hospital. He said he was ahead of schedule, and plopped down and we had a talk. That's it really. Not afraid of death anymore.

Little bit teary eyed at this. Puts into perspective a lot of things.

Heartwarming to see you still with us, keep on keepin on Sir! ❤️🙏😎🤙🛻💨

Thanks for sharing your story Richard. It’s an intense and intimate one. Love and connection are literally the breath of life. You and Mindy must be as close as 2 humans can be after such an experience. 🙏

I'm 22 and I lost my father 2 years ago, felt like my whole life fell apart. Every brick and every little detail I had put together just vanished in an instant. My father had a lot of problems, both business wise but also mental and physical issues. That day he thought that he would be better off sailing away to the distant shores. Never heard of him during that day until the morning after when the police showed up on my front door telling us the news. Ever since then I've tried to build my life up again, hasn't been easy but I'm finally feeling better and moving forward. Beautiful story and a very emotional one. Hope to meet you someday Richard, it would be an honour.

Honestly, I'm a 42 years old man in tears 😢! Well said, Sir !

Can't quite put into words why, but that's really comforting. Thank you.

Absolutely superb. Thank you for sharing that Richard. And thank you Mindy for making him come back.

The sense of impending doom. I've never heard it described like this. Absolutely gut wrenching and emotional, but Richard was of course as straight and charismatic as ever through it. Legend, and we're better for having him around still.

I died on the operating table many years ago. My ‘vision’ was of (of course) a bright light BUT standing between me and the light was 2 silhouettes. One clearly much taller than the other, the taller one wearing a wide brimmed hat. These shadowy figures (without moving) were like throwing memories at me. Memories that weren’t mine. Furniture. Carpet colours and patterns. That sort of thing. Anyway when I came round and told my mum, apparently the two figures were an accurate description of her mum and dad, my grandma and grandpa. The memories were of their house. A place I’d never been, 2 people I never met. Super weird

It's so lovely to Richard come back feeling peaceful after that horrific accident and that he ,his wife and family are all still happy together. Bless him he is a lovely guy. ☺️❤️

Being a specialized nurse in the anesthesia and ICU department this gives me goosebumps