Freddie Flintoff accident: What happened in Top Gear crash?
Flintoff used to be co-host of popular BBC car show Top Gear along with Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris - a role he began back in 2019.
But the former England Cricket Team captain's time on the show was cut short after he was severely injured in an accident at the Top Gear Test Track - the Dunsfold Aerodrome, Surrey in December 2022.
What happened to Freddie Flintoff in Top Gear accident?
'Freddie' Flintoff reportedly flipped a Morgan Super 3 vehicle on the first bend at the Top Gear test track during filming for the show while not wearing a helmet.
Freddie Flintoff used to host Top Gear along with Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris. (Image: Lee Brimble/PA)
The vehicle was only travelling at 22mph but was open-top, meaning when it flipped Flintoff's face scraped along the tarmac, reported the Mail on Sunday.
The presenter sustained broken ribs and serious facial injuries in the incident with Flintoff's son Corey, revealing at the time, his father was 'lucky to be alive' describing it as a 'pretty nasty crash'.
There were reports Flintoff's crash was so bad Top Gear staff who witnessed it had to be signed off work indefinitely as they struggled to come to terms with an incident described as "something you would truly want to unsee".
After months of speculation, the BBC finally made the decision, in November 2023, to rest Top Gear for the "foreseeable future".
Flintoff spoke about the Top Gear crash for the first time on Freddie Flintoff's Field of Dream on Tour, which aired on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in August 2024.
He revealed how close he was to dying and the struggles he's had since including "crying every two minutes", anxiety, nightmares and flashbacks.
The documentary showed Flintoff in hospital shortly after the crash where he said: "I genuinely should not be here after what happened.
'This will be a long road back and I've only just started, I'm stuck already.
Apparently this is on @DisneyPlus @DisneyPlusUK tomorrow have watch if you want want 🤦🏼♂️ https://t.co/Bz8NPFjecs — Andrew Flintoff (@flintoff11) April 24, 2025
'I need help, and I realise I'm not the best at asking for it. I need to stop crying every two minutes.
'I've got to look at the positives, haven't I?
'I'm still here, I've got another chance, I've got to go at it. I'm seeing that as how it is, a second go."
New Freddie Flintoff documentary on Disney+
A new documentary about Andrew Flintoff is set for release on Disney+ on Friday (April 25).
RECOMMENDED READING:
"Flintoff" will give viewers "unprecedented access" to Freddie's life, covering everything from his cricketing career to his "life-altering" Top Gear crash.
The programme will also show the Preston-born star's return to cricket after the car crash.
Flintoff will be available to watch on Disney+ from Friday (April 25).
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