Freddie Flintoff “waited agonizingly for 45 minutes” for ambulance to arrive after Top Gear accident
Freddie Flintoff reportedly had to wait “agonizingly” on set for 45 minutes after his car accident top equipment.
The former cricketer and TV presenter, 45, was flown to hospital last December after suffering an accident while filming the BBC car series.
Flintoff’s car, an open three-wheeled Morgan Super 3, is said to have overturned and skidded across the track as he was driving at high speed. As a result of the accident, he suffered a fractured rib and facial and jaw injuries.
A new report in The sun claims that the car he was driving was not equipped with an airbag.
It is also claimed that medical staff were initially unable to find a stretcher for the presenter.
In the report, a source close to the production claimed that crew members felt “inadequate checks” were performed before filming of the stunt began.
After the crash, the BBC conducted a health and safety investigation. The investigation is now complete, but the broadcaster has not yet released the full results.
Freddie Flintoff on Top Gear
(BBC/Lee Brimble)
Filming continues top equipment was abandoned as the future of the long-running series is currently in doubt. Even if the show went ahead, reports suggest Flintoff likely wouldn’t return to the show.
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 we continue to support him in his recovery. A health and safety review of the show is ongoing in line with our procedures.”
The broadcaster declined to comment on speculation about the accident.
After the crash, Flintoff’s 16-year-old son, Corey, said the presenter was “lucky to be alive.”
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“It was a pretty bad crash,” he added. “It is shocking. We’re all shocked but just hope he’s okay.”
Flintoff had previously caused a car accident shortly after joining top equipment in 2019 and narrowly avoided serious injuries.
In a statement at the time, he said: “I’m absolutely fine and got back to filming today. I try very hard to make sure I’m okay top equipment Drag racing, but this time I went a few lengths too far!”
