Top Gear stunt backfires

James May was in a caravan attached to an airship whichÂ…

13:07 01 October 2009

Presenter James May has escaped unharmed after a Top Gear stunt went wrong.

May was aboard an airship which had a caravan attached to it. The ship was meant to land on a cricket pitch in the village of Eltisley, but was instead blown off course by strong winds.

It crashed on its side into trees half a mile away. The BBC crew raced to the scene to check for injuries to May and the team. They were unable to reach the airship but a helicopter which was filming gave them the all clear.

The emergency services which are always on stand-by for Top Gear stunts were not needed.

The stunt was believed to be the end of a race between James May in an airship and co-presenter Richard Hammond on the ground in a Lamborghini.

However, the fading light and blustery weather meant that filming had to be called off and the stunt could not be repeated.

The episode is due to air in November.