According to the damage report, Freddie Flintoff raised “safety concerns” about the Top Gear stunt before the “horrific” accident
Freddie Flintoff reportedly raised safety concerns Top equipment Stunt that ended in a near-fatal accident last December.
The former cricketer and BBC Motor Show presenter was flown to hospital after suffering serious injuries after a vehicle he was driving crashed at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome, where the Top equipment Test track is located.
Filming the 34th season of Top equipment was stopped after the accident, which left Flintoff, 45, with facial injuries and several broken ribs.
A new report in The sun claims that Flintoff was “scared” to even perform the stunt.
“Freddie expressed concern about the safety of the stunt on set the day of the accident. He was wondering whether it was OK or not given the vehicle and the conditions on the track,” a source told the outlet.
“He was worried before he got behind the wheel and the production staff at the track were aware of this. He was obviously used to taking part in stunts like this during his time on the show, but alarm bells were ringing for him.”
The source also claimed that following the accident, this had been “openly discussed” by Top Gear staff “who have doubts about whether the show will ever return to screens”.
The Independent has contacted a Flintoff representative for comment, while the BBC declined to comment.
The accident reportedly occurred when Flintoff was driving an open three-wheeled Morgan Super 3 down the track at high speed. The vehicle overturned and skidded, with Flintoff narrowly avoiding fatal injuries.
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Freddie Flintoff pictured on September 8th
(Getty Images)
The BBC announced earlier this year that it would be conducting a health and safety review of the hit series.
Earlier this year, a BBC spokesman said The Independent: “In March we completed our investigation into the accident at the Top Gear test track in Surrey, in which presenter Freddie Flintoff was regrettably injured.
“We have sincerely apologized to Freddie and continue to support him in his recovery. A health and safety review of the exhibition is underway in line with our procedures.”
The Independent is aware that a decision on whether and when the series will be filmed again is still pending.
Flintoff hosted Top equipment since 2019 together with the automotive journalist Chris Harris, 48, and the comedian Paddy McGuinness, 50.
Earlier this month, Flintoff was photographed in public for the first time since the accident, with facial injuries still clearly visible.