Andrew Flintoff hails NHS staff who cared for him after car crash
In December 2022, Flintoff sustained severe injuries while filming at the Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey for an episode of BBC show Top Gear.
His surgeon described Flintoff's case as one of the most complex he has ever seen.
The former international cricketer was airlifted to St George's Hospital in Tooting – a major trauma centre.
'I just want to say a massive thank you to all the staff at St George's,' Flintoff said.
'I came here probably the lowest I've ever been, in need of help and the expertise, the love, the compassion they showed me was incredible.
'I'll be eternally grateful – absolute superheroes.'
Recalling the incident, consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeon Jahrad Haq, said: 'I was on call that day and received a phone call from the emergency department consultant.
'A lot of injuries are managed at a more junior level before escalating, so I knew this one was serious.
'Of all the trauma cases I've seen in over 20 years, this was among the most complex.'
Shamim Umarji, consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon, said: 'It's very rewarding when patients come back and you get to see them not just as patients, but as people. It's a real privilege.
'When you see their recovery, you remember how important our job is.
'It was wonderful to see Freddie again and his visit gave staff a real boost. He spent a lot of time chatting to everyone and it meant a lot.'
Kate Slemeck, managing director for St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: 'I'm incredibly proud of the care we provide at St George's.
'It's always heart-warming to hear from patients about the expert care, compassion and kindness they've received from our clinical and support teams, and this shows the lasting impact they have on people, long after they've left hospital.'
During a documentary about the accident, Flintoff described how he used the split-second decision-making from his cricketing days to try to reduce the impact of the crash.
He said he was 'pulled face-down on the runway' for about 50 metres under the car.
The former England star said he thought he had died in the accident.
For months after the crash Flintoff disappeared from public view and would leave his house only for medical appointments
His recovery has been documented in a documentary, Flintoff, streamed on Disney+.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
11 hours ago
- BBC News
Freddie Flintoff hails NHS staff who cared for him after Top Gear crash
Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff has praised the "love and compassion" of NHS staff who cared for him after his car crash at a Top Gear test December 2022, Flintoff sustained severe injuries while filming at the Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey for an episode of BBC show Top was airlifted to St George's Hospital, part of the St George's, Epsom and St Helier Hospitals Group, in Tooting - a major trauma former international cricketer visited hospital workers who looked after him in the aftermath of the accident, which he described as "the lowest I've ever been". Freddie's surgeon described his case as one of the most complex he has ever seen."I just want to say a massive thank you to all the staff at St George's," Flintoff said."I came here probably the lowest I've ever been, in need of help and the expertise, the love, the compassion they showed me was incredible."I'll be eternally grateful - absolute superheroes." Recalling the incident, consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeon Jahrad Haq, said: "I was on call that day and received a phone call from the emergency department consultant."Of all the trauma cases I've seen in over 20 years, this was among the most complex."Shamim Umarji, consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon, said: "It's very rewarding when patients come back and you get to see them not just as patients, but as people. It's a real privilege."It was wonderful to see Freddie again and his visit gave staff a real boost. He spent a lot of time chatting to everyone and it meant a lot." During a documentary about the accident, Flintoff described how he used the split-second decision-making from his cricketing days to try to reduce the impact of the said he was "pulled face-down on the runway" for about 50 metres under the former England star said he thought he had died in the months after the crash Flintoff disappeared from public view and would leave his house only for medical appointmentsHis recovery has been documented in a documentary, Flintoff, streamed on Disney+.
South Wales Guardian
21 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Heston Blumenthal warns weight loss drugs will be bad for food industry
Blumenthal, who has been awarded seven Michelin stars over the course of his career, said of the injections: 'You still enjoy food, but it stops appetite. 'So what's going to happen is people are going to want smaller portions. 'Supermarkets are going to be hit massively. I even heard in the news that airplanes are going to save lots of money because of the weight loss,' he told Times Radio. He said he believes the issue is 'going to get much worse in the next six months'. He also told host Jane Mulkerrins he is taking Wegovy to combat the effects of his bipolar medication. 'I've put on so much weight,' he said. He said Wegovy is helping him lose weight, describing it as a 'paradox' given he is a restaurateur. Blumenthal, who presented Channel 4 shows Heston's Fantastical Food and Heston's Feasts, was sectioned following a manic episode and given a diagnosis of bipolar disorder in November 2023. He has since spoken widely of learning to live with the condition, and was the subject of BBC documentary Heston: My Life With Bipolar, which was broadcast in June.
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
Jeremy Clarkson reveals ‘steep learning curve' after ‘enormous' disruption caused by TB outbreak at Diddly Squat
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) JEREMY Clarkson has revealed the "steep learning curve" he faced after a TB outbreak at Diddly Squat caused "enormous" disruption. The TV star, 65, has been left "absolutely devastated" by the news, which is the latest blow for the hard-hit team on the farm. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 2 Jeremy Clarkson has revealed the 'steep learning curve' he is facing due to a TB outbreak Credit: PA 2 The farm owner shared the news in an initial message on social media Credit: Collect Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB) is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium bovis, which can also infect and cause disease in cats, badgers and dogs. Jeremy explained how no cows could be introduced to, or leave, the farm until another test can be done on his cattle. However, the ex-Top Gear host added that a calf had also become unwell following the outbreak. Now, Jeremy has spoken out about the "enormous" extent of the disruption faced on his farm. He told The Times he was on a "very steep learning curve". Jeremy told the outlet: "The disruption's enormous, because you aren't allowed to operate as a business. "You have to isolate them for two months. So all the barns we needed to store the grain in, we now have to convert into a cow hospital. "We've got another calf with pneumonia, so that needs to be housed. "And we can't buy or sell a cow now because the farm officially, you know, has TB.' But in some good news for fans, he said the farm shop would remain open and unaffected. Clarkson said reports that his farm was shut were 'ridiculous'. Jeremy Clarkson 'absolutely devastated' after latest blow to Diddly Squat farm 'We're trying to carry on with the harvest and everything, but TB focuses the mind,' he said. It comes after the Sun columnist revealed in another blow that his puppy died hours after he was handed the heartbreaking news about his farm. The devastated farmer told how his puppy had died through the night. He is also trying to care for a "very sickly calf". The Top Gear icon revealed he is not enjoying his new profession this week. And on Sunday, Jeremy revealed his red Labrador Arya had given birth to 11 puppies. He and his wife Lisa Hogan acted as midwives for the adorable pups while the Lionesses roared to victory in the Euros final. Meanwhile, on the latest series of his Amazon Prime show, Jeremy revealed how endless rain had sparked chaos on the farm last year. The Diddly Squat Farm Shop's Instagram page wrote: "It's going to be a rough year. All that seed sowed, drowned with the constant rain." What is bovine TB? Bovine Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease of cattle and badgers. It is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) which can also infect and cause disease in many other mammals including humans, deer, goats, pigs, cats, dogs and badgers. In cattle, it is mainly a respiratory disease. What are the symptoms? It is hard to spot bovine TB as the signs are similar to other diseases and normally only develop in the advanced stages. It is normally picked up in cattle testing before clinical signs develop or during inspections of slaughtered cattle. Animals can get thinner, have a light fever that keeps coming back, appear weak and have a reduced appetite. Some will also have swollen lymph nodes, in the neck and a moist cough which is worse in the morning and during cold weather or exercise. The government states it may cause chronic mastitis, an infection of the udder. How is transferred between animals? Evidence of bovine TB is most commonly found in the lymph glands of throat and lungs of affected animals. They spread the disease mainly through coughing and sneezing. Bacteria are released into the air and inhaled by other animals in close contact. The disease can pass from badgers to cattle via close contact - and vice versa. Contaminated equipment, animal waste, feed and pasture can also transfer the infection. Can humans catch it from cattle? Humans can catch bovine TB through: unpasteurised milk or dairy products from an infected cow, buffalo, goat or sheep inhaling bacteria breathed out by infected animals inhaling bacteria released from the carcasses of infected animals or from their excretions (such as faeces) Infection is more likely if an unprotected wound is exposed to bacteria from an infected animal. But the government insists the risk of infection is very low for the vast majority of the population. Symptoms are similar to human TB, including weight loss, fever, night sweats and a persistent cough. Anyone who develops these symptoms should consult a doctor. The disease can be treated by a complex combination of drugs over a long period. And Clarkson's right-hand man Kaleb Cooper was the victim of soaring tool theft after robbers nicked a £7,000 farm tool this week. The farmer turned TV hero, 27, told fans his pricey post knocker, used for hammering in fences, had been stolen on Tuesday. Another firm's £70k John Deere tractor was also taken, with a burnt-out SUV car found down the road. Meanwhile, earlier this month Jeremy slammed the "fun police" after his big-budget beer advert was banned from TV and radio. Keen to spread the word about Diddly Squat Farm's Hawkstone lager, The Sun columnist hired a 34-strong choir of real British farmers to sing their own version of a classic opera tune. Hilariously, the farmers switched up the words to sing: "F*** me it's good".
