New details of Freddie Flintoff's life-changing car accident on the set of Top Gear have emerged more than three years on, with another star of the BBC show revealing that he nearly died in the crash.
The England cricket legend was seriously injured in the accident while filming for the show in late 2022, having been driving an open-topped three-wheeler around a test track at speeds of around 130mph when it flipped over in icy conditions. While Flintoff had slowed down to 22mph, his face was dragged across the tarmac as he was not wearing a helmet.
Injuries and settlement
With there reportedly no airbag in the vehicle, the now-48-year-old suffered multiple broken ribs as well as severe facial injuries, as he was rushed to hospital to undergo four hours of surgery. A surgeon later revealed that Flintoff had suffered hard and soft tissue injuries, broken and lost teeth and fractures and displacement to part of the upper jaw bone.
While he survived and later made his comeback to both cricket and TV presenting, he was left with significant scarring and mental health issues linked to the accident, including anxiety, flashbacks, and nightmares. Flintoff reached a £9 million settlement with BBC Studios after the accident.
The Stig's account
Now, a new account of the crash has emerged, with Paul Rees – who has been unmasked as the show's mystery driver The Stig – revealing that he was in the car with Flintoff when it flipped. In an interview with The Sun, the ex-Formula 2 and Porsche Supercup driver said he was suing the BBC for damages after being left with a broken back in the accident.
He added that he has "no idea" how he and Flintoff survived, admitting that he feared for his life due to the lack of protection provided. The 41-year-old also revealed that he had been left covered in the presenter's blood as the car flipped over.
"I said to [Flintoff], like, power, power, power, power," said Rees. "He's given it a load of power, which is what we did the time before. And suddenly, because it had this low scoop and I had my arm hanging out the side, the next thing I know we are on top of my arm sliding down the runway.
"We're effectively just inverting with our faces going straight towards the tarmac, and then we're upside down. It's because Fred had taken the impact.
"I was acutely aware the only thing holding my head off the tarmac was Fred's head," he added. "My vision went red. I now know that was blood from Fred spraying me in the face."
Lawsuit against BBC
Rees has now sued the BBC for damages, claiming an excess of £100,000, and alleges that the broadcaster didn't listen to him after he "highlighted the risks from the very start". Claiming that he was asked to join Flintoff in the car as the former cricketer wasn't considered "dynamic enough" to pull off a challenging corner on the test track, he added: "We were not listened to by the BBC.
"I remember thinking that if we can get out of this and be in wheelchairs, we're lucky. It was a terrifying thought. Everything goes in slow motion."
A BBC Studios spokesperson said: "We dispute this claim and are defending it. As it's now before the courts, it would be inappropriate to comment further."
