The BBC is facing fresh questions amid claims that Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff raised safety concerns with the Top Gear crew on the day of his horror 130mph crash.
The former England cricket captain was “lucky to be alive” after his three-wheeled Morgan Super 3 open-top car, which had no airbags, rolled over on December 13 last year, leaving him with serious facial injuries and several broken ribs. .
Top Gear already faces an uncertain future due to concerns over its health and safety protocols, but new revelations about the day of the crash have increased the pressure on BBC chiefs.
Flintoff, who was seen for the first time since his crash earlier this month when he joined the England cricket team as coach, is expected to express his fears to senior BBC chiefs.
A source said The sun: ‘Freddie expressed concerns about the safety of the stunt on set on the day of the accident.
The BBC is facing fresh questions amid claims that Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff raised safety concerns with the Top Gear crew on the day of his horror 130mph crash. Flintoff was pictured during England’s One Day International against Ireland yesterday
The former England cricket captain, 45, was ‘lucky to be alive’ after his three-wheeled Morgan Super 3 car, which had no airbags, overturned on December 13.
Flintoff returned to the public eye earlier this month when he joined the England cricket squad ahead of the ODI World Cup later this year
‘He wondered if it was right given the vehicle and the track conditions.
“He was apprehensive before getting behind the wheel and the production staff at the track were aware of this.”
The source added that Flintoff, 45, was used to taking part in stunts for the show but that “alarm bells were ringing.”
Top Gear has been on a break since filming for its 34th series was halted following the near-fatal crash at the show’s test track at Dunsfold Aerodrome, in Surrey.
Since then, the future of the show has been hanging in the balance, with some speculating that it could be taken off the air for good. According to sources, its future will be decided after a health and safety investigation into the show is completed.
Flintoff was the second presenter to almost die in a crash during the show, which left Richard Hammond in a coma after a horror smash in 2006.
The Ashes hero had to wait 45 minutes for an air ambulance, with the BBC later apologizing to him.
Flintoff has not yet spoken publicly about the crash but returned to cricket as England coach. The facial injuries he suffered were still visible on his face, although they are already showing signs of healing.
The former England Test captain spent time with the current squad over the summer ahead of the upcoming ODI World Cup, which will take place in India from October.
The future of Top Gear hangs in the balance as health and safety bosses continue their investigation into the near-fatal crash that almost killed co-presenter Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff. Flintoff is pictured with co-presenters Chris Harris and Paddy McGuiness
In 2006, Richard Hammond was put on life support and in a coma after being involved in a 320mph crash while filming a Top Gear stunt at Elvington Airport in York.
One of the great all-rounders of the English game and the hero of the 2005 Ashes triumph, Flintoff played 141 ODIs before retiring after England won the urn in 2009.
“It’s important for him and it’s great for the boys to have him there,” said Paul Collingwood, England’s assistant Test coach, of his ex-teammate’s return.
Flintoff left Top Gear after the crash, while several staff members who witnessed the accident took indefinite sick leave due to post-traumatic stress disorder.
Earlier this month, PR experts said the show would struggle to get its stars insured, amid claims only professionals were allowed to take part in dangerous stunts.
As a major investigation into the incident continued, it emerged last month that one of the show’s top executives, Clare Pizey – who had been editorial director since March last year – is set to leave, bringing new uncertainty about its future.
Flintoff was the latest presenter to be injured in horrific accidents during the filming of Top Gear, following former presenter Richard Hammond, who fell into a coma after losing control of a jet-powered racer, and Paddy McGuiness, who cheated death after a crash involving a Lamborghini in the Yorkshire Dales in 2020.
In the aftermath of Flintoff’s crash, his wife Rachael reportedly begged him to stay off work.
The father-of-four was “lucky to be alive” when his three-wheeled open-top Morgan Super 3 overturned in icy conditions, his son said.
One of the great all-rounders, Flintoff was an iconic symbol of the 2005 Ashes-winning side
Flintoff’s injuries were still evident nine months after the crash, with him suffering broken ribs and facial bones
The cricketer turned TV star continued his self-styled ‘daredevil’ role in Top Gear
Filming of the series was suspended while Flintoff recovered from his injuries and an investigation took place, with reports that the former professional cricketer was putting his TV career on hold.
An insider told The Times in March: ‘Freddie has been seriously affected emotionally and physically by the crash. He’s a daredevil, that’s what he does, and he doesn’t feel like he can continue to play that role on the show.”
According to reports, Flintoff had decided to leave the program before the BBC confirmed in March that it was halting filming of the next series, due to be released in the autumn.
The Mail on Sunday reported that the former England cricket star’s high-speed crash and horrific injuries had a ‘significant effect’ on witnesses, preventing them from returning to work.
Sources say a large staff was present at last December’s stunner at the Top Gear test track at Dunsfold Park airport.
One said: ‘The scenes were awful, something you really wouldn’t want to see. The idea of returning to do that kind of work again is just too much for some people.
‘It has been an incredibly difficult time for everyone involved in the crash. Some still have difficulty with it and are therefore out of service.’
Flintoff has not yet taken legal action, but it is not known if anyone from the production team has done so.
After the incident, his 16-year-old son Corey told MailOnline: ‘He’s doing well. I’m not sure what happened, but he’s lucky to be alive.
‘It was a pretty nasty crash. It’s shocking. We are all shocked but just hope he is okay.”
MailOnline has contacted the BBC for comment.