Freddie Flintoff has opened up about his life-altering car crash in his new Disney Plus documentary, Flintoff, which is now available for streaming. The former cricketer and television presenter details the harrowing aftermath of the incident that occurred in December 2022, when he was left with severe facial and rib injuries after a crash at the Top Gear test track in Dunsfold Aerodrome, Surrey.
On December 13, 2022, Flintoff was driving a three-wheeled Morgan Super 3 during filming for the BBC motoring show when the accident occurred. Recalling the moment, Flintoff shared, "It was a three-wheeler. There's a reinforced windscreen and a bar, which was about half of my back, so I'm exposed. [I was] probably doing about 40 or 45. They were showing me how to get the car going sideways, and the wheel came up at the front." He vividly described the sensation of rolling the car, stating, "It's a funny thing rolling a car, because there's a point of no return and everything slows down... I looked to the ground and I'd either get hit on the side and I break my neck. And the best chance is [to] go face down."
Flintoff was airlifted to St George’s Hospital in London, where he underwent extensive treatment. The injuries he sustained were described as serious but non-life-threatening at the time. However, his son Corey expressed deep concern, stating, "It was a pretty nasty crash. It is shocking. We are all shocked but just hope he’s going to be OK." In the documentary, Flintoff revealed graphic images of his injuries, including shattered front teeth and severe facial trauma that required multiple surgeries and treatments, including painful steroid injections and plasma therapy. "But it'll never give me what I had back," he lamented.
Following the crash, the BBC announced that Top Gear would not be returning "for the foreseeable future". An internal investigation was launched, and in April 2023, the BBC stated it would be inappropriate to resume making the show. By October, Flintoff had reached a settlement with the BBC reportedly worth £9 million, compensating him for lost earnings due to the incident. A BBC spokesperson commented, "We have sincerely apologised to Freddie and will continue to support him with his recovery." The payout was confirmed not to be funded by the TV licence fee, as BBC Studios operates as a commercial arm of the broadcaster.
In November 2023, the BBC reiterated its decision to take Top Gear off air, emphasizing its commitment to Flintoff and his co-stars, Chris Harris and Paddy McGuinness, who were integral to the show's revival since 2019. The statement read, "We know resting the show will be disappointing news for fans, but it is the right thing to do. All other Top Gear activity remains unaffected by this hiatus, including international formats, digital, magazines and licensing."
Flintoff's documentary not only chronicles the accident but also delves into his emotional struggles post-crash. He admitted to having moments where he wished he had died in the accident, stating, "I didn’t think I had it in me to get through... part of me wishes I’d been killed. I didn’t want to kill myself. I don’t want to mistake the two things. But I was thinking, ‘This would have been so much easier.’" He also shared his ongoing battle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), revealing, "I still live it every day. I see the car every night when I go to bed. It’s so vivid. I’ve not slept the same since."
In the documentary, Flintoff reflects on how the crash has altered not only his life but also the careers of his co-stars. He expressed guilt over the impact on McGuinness and Harris, saying, "I feel bad I haven't been in more contact with Chris and Paddy. Part of it is for myself a little bit. I hate the word triggering, but I'm worried about that. It's also something that has stopped, I suppose, in some ways, because of what happened to me. Like their careers have been altered as well." McGuinness responded, expressing his affection for Flintoff, stating, "I love Fred. He’s a good lad... Freddie and I still message. But everyone’s got busy lives."
The documentary features candid moments of Flintoff grappling with his new reality. He noted, "You just want people to be honest half the time — to say yeah, it is a f***ing mess, isn’t it?" He added, "I have moments where I forget, I'm just living, and it's so nice. And then you just get a stark reminder... Or I just look in the mirror and it all comes back."
Since the crash, Flintoff has slowly returned to public life, taking on coaching roles within the England cricket team and leading the Northern Superchargers in the Hundred tournament. He also recently presented a festive version of the darts-themed game show Bullseye on ITV, indicating a gradual return to the entertainment industry.
Flintoff's journey highlights the challenges faced by public figures following traumatic experiences. His documentary, Flintoff, serves as a poignant reminder of the physical and emotional toll such incidents can have, not only on the individual but also on their loved ones and colleagues. The film is now available to stream on Disney+ in the UK and Ireland.
