We’ve got the pictures the WORLD has been waiting for – the moment when Top Gear star Richard Hammond had a near-fatal crash.

These horrifying images show the pint-sized presenter in mid-air as his jet-powered Vampire Dragster careers off the road at 288mph.

Hammond was airlifted to a Leeds Royal Infirmary in a critical condition in September last year following the accident with many fearing the worst.

However, the housewives’ favourite has stunned experts with his rapid recovery and is back filming Top Gear with co-presenters Jeremy Clarkson and James May.

The crash in led to calls for the motoring show to be axed, but the BBC has stuck by Jezza and co – with the programme back by popular demand.

You can see the chilling footage when Top Gear returns to BBC2 on Sunday 28 January at 8pm.

Links

Richard Hammond back behind the wheel
Hammond's wife reviewing cars
MPH tribute to Richard Hammond
Top Gear star beats Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp
Top Gear star seriously hurt in high speed smash
Richard Hammond out of intensive care
Donations flooding in for air ambulance