Posted: 21:09, August 12, 2022 | Updated: 00:59, 13 August 2022
The 59-year-old presenter was rushed to hospital after crashing into a wall at 75mph while filming a stunt scene with Jeremy Clarkson, 62, and Richard Hammond, 52.
He took it in turns to accelerate rally cars with his fellow presenters, but braked too slowly and “broke at least one rib” during the horror incident.
After the star received the brand new one a day later, a source told The Sun: ‘It seemed extremely worrying at first.
“Jeremy and Richard were concerned for their partner and the paramedics came quickly.
Medical personnel were on hand due to the dangerous demonstrations and were needed after the incident.
High speed: James was helped by paramedics in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8 and rushed to hospital for a brain scan and x-rays
Crash: The presenter, 59, was rushed to hospital after crashing into a wall at 75mph while filming a stunt scene with co-hosts Jeremy Clarkson, 62, and Richard Hammond, 52.
The insider continued: “James cracked his head pretty hard on impact and was covered in blood from it. He was complaining of back and neck pain. He broke at least one rib and was quite shaken by it.
MailOnline has contacted James’ representatives for comment.
They drove the cars along a tunnel towards a rock wall at a Norwegian naval base, and the tunnel lights only came on as the cars sped past, giving all three just seconds to react as they ran out of space.
Crash: Took turns to accelerate rally cars with fellow presenters but braked too slowly and ‘broke at least one rib’ during horror incident
Gran Tour: The series, which first premiered in 2016, has four seasons plus several specials before production of the fifth season is delayed in 2021 due to COVID
James was treated by paramedics in the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8 and rushed to hospital for a brain scan and x-rays.
The show, which first premiered in 2016, ran for four seasons as well as several specials before production on the fifth season was delayed in 2021 due to COVID.
Richard himself had a horror accident on the set of Top Gear in 2006.
He cheated death when he crashed a jet-powered dragster called the Vampire at almost 320mph while turning at the former RAF Elvington airbase near York.
Scary: Richard cheated death when he crashed a jet-powered dragster called a Vampire at almost 320mph while turning at the former RAF Elvington air base near York
The stunt was part of an attempt to break the British land speed record for the BBC broadcast.
At the time, Richard told the Daily Mirror: “I was in a bad way when they came to get me. The ambulance guys were amazed that I was still breathing.
“At first they told me I would be in hospital for 15 months. Yet here I am ready to go home after five weeks. I’m so lucky I can’t believe it.
Filming: Medical personnel were on hand due to the hazardous nature of the shows and were needed after the incident
