31-07-2025
Emotional Freddie Flintoff reunites with ‘superhero' NHS staff who cared for him after horror Top Gear crash
FREDDIE Flintoff has hailed the NHS staff who cared for him after his horror Top Gear crash as 'superheroes'.
The star recently visited the hospital to meet some of those who helped to treat his severe injuries.
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Freddie, who feared his face had been torn off in the 2022 accident, said: 'I just want to say a massive thank you to all the staff at St George's.
'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.'
Former England cricketer Flintoff, 47, was airlifted to the hospital in Tooting, South London, after he was dragged nose down for 50 metres at Dunsfold Aerodrome, Surrey, while filming for the BBC car show.
Among the staff he met were surgeon Shamim Umarji, registrar William Harland, dental nurse Linda Holden and orthodontic nurse Sonia Steer.
Shamim 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.'
Surgeon Jahrad Haq was called in owing to the seriousness of Freddie's injuries.
He said: 'A lot of injuries are managed at a more junior level so I knew this one was serious.
I thought my face had been ripped off after it was dragged 150ft along Tarmac in Top Gear crash, says Freddie Flintoff
'Of all the trauma cases I've seen in over 20 years, this was among the most complex.'
Kate Slemeck, managing director for St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: 'I'm incredibly proud of the care we provide.
'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.'
Freddie, real name Andrew, relived his crash in Disney+ documentary Flintoff this year.
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