"Top Gear" presenter Richard Hammond has been seriously injured during an attempt to break the land speed record for Britain while driving a Thule Vampire, a 30-foot jet-powered Swedish dragster.

Hammond was reported to be still speaking as he was lifted from the wreckage. Remarkable considering he was said to be reaching speeds of close to 280 mph when the accident occurred.

The event was being filmed for the "Top Gear" program at Elvington airfield in the United Kingdom.

Spectators at the airfield stated that the vehicle suddenly veered off to the right and then proceeded to flip into the air. It then landed upside down with one of the safety parachutes deployed. Hammond was later airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary.

He was reported by the BBC to be in a stable condition.