YORK and the nation breathes a mighty sigh of relief at the news that Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond is on the mend after being seriously injured when his 300mph jet-powered dragster veered off the runway, flipped over several times and crashed on to the grass at Elvington Airfield, near York, last week.

He is an extremely lucky bloke and clearly has influence in very high places, which is welcome news.

I want to pay tribute to the man's daring courage and heroism, and send him best wishes in his recovery.

Terry Smith, Fourth Avenue, Heworth, York.