Paul Rees, the racing driver who was a passenger in Freddie Flintoff's severe car crash during filming of Top Gear in 2022, is suing BBC Studios for up to £150,000 for personal injury, according to court documents seen by the BBC.
Crash Details and Legal Claims
The accident occurred on December 13, 2022, at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey, when Flintoff was driving an open-topped Morgan Super 3 that flipped and slid along the track. Rees, 41, was sitting in the passenger seat, providing expert driving advice to Flintoff. It was not publicly known that another person was in the car until now.
BBC Studios, in its legal response, denies negligence and claims that Rees' 'faulty instructions' caused the crash. The defence filings allege that Flintoff expressed concern about the car's front wheel lifting as he took a corner, but Rees reassured him it could not roll over. As they approached the same corner again, Rees allegedly instructed: 'Now turn right… now full power, full power.' The document states: 'because on the claimant’s instruction the presenter continued to apply power the Morgan turned over.'
Compensation and Welfare
Flintoff reached a compensation settlement with the BBC in 2023, and the show was subsequently rested. Rees filed his claim in December 2025. BBC Studios says it provided Rees with comprehensive medical and welfare support after the accident but is denying his compensation demands. The organisation also claims that Rees' account of the crash contradicts the independent accident investigation report.
BBC Studios said in a statement: 'We dispute this claim and are defending it. As it’s now before the courts, it would be inappropriate to comment further.' Metro has reached out to Paul Rees for comment.
Timeline of Events
- December 13, 2022: Flintoff's Morgan Super 3 flips at Dunsfold Park.
- August 13, 2023: Flintoff appears on Field of Dreams, revealing the extent of his injuries and his reclusive state.
- October 13, 2023: The Sun reports Flintoff received a seven-figure compensation deal from the BBC.
- November 21, 2023: BBC confirms Top Gear will not return 'for the foreseeable future'.
- April 25, 2025: Flintoff releases a documentary about the crash, stating he 'didn’t know if he could carry on'.
BBC Studios' defence also notes that 'at no time in the period after the accident did the claimant suggest that he had suffered any injury in the accident.' The case is now before the courts.
