Freddie Flintoff airlifted to hospital following terrifying crash while filming Top Gear episode
TOP Gear host Freddie Flintoff was airlifted to hospital following a terrifying car crash during filming in Surrey on Monday.
The former England cricketer, 45, was shooting an episode for the hit BBC series at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome before the shock smash.
He was injured as cameras were rolling to capture his opinion of the car for the show’s review segment.
Those close to the dad-of-four said his injuries were “not life-threatening”, despite his worrying hospital dash.
Freddie was behind the wheel filming when the incident occurred, seeing on-site medics at the venue near Cranleigh rush to his aid.
His co-star Chris Harris – who presents the show alongside the former cricketer and Paddy McGuiness – was also at the Top Gear test track.
A source told The Sun: “Freddie is in hospital after a crash on Top Gear.
“He was driving on the track as normal. He wasn’t going at high speeds – it was just an accident that could happen to anyone.
“All the usual health and safety measures were in place for filming too.
“Freddie was taken to hospital by air ambulance shortly afterwards.
“His injuries are not life-threatening and he is receiving treatment.
“Filming has been postponed for now and all anyone cares about is Freddie recovering.”
A spokesman for the BBC confirmed the host had been injured in the crash and was taken to hospital for further treatment.
The cricketer’s smash is the latest setback for the “cursed” show, following his narrow escape after a horror 124mph crash in 2019.
Freddie was heard fearfully yelling, “I can’t stop,” as he hurtled head-first down a runway just inches off the ground in a three-wheeled cycle car.
He had been racing his co-hosts when he realised he was running out of road and about to overshoot the finish line – seeing him spin off in a cloud of dust.
Sources claimed the trio were originally meant to compete along a mile track but bosses extended it to 1.4miles in a bid to get higher speeds.
Freddie miraculously walked away from the “near-death” crash unscathed, insisting he was “absolutely fine.”
He said at the time: “I go to great lengths to make sure I do well in Top Gear drag races but, on this occasion, I went a few lengths too far.
“It will look more ridiculous than dangerous when you see it on TV.”
He was driving on the track as normal. He wasn’t going at high speeds – it was just an accident that could happen to anyone.
The 2019 accident occured at the Elvington airfield in York – the same place Top Gear legend Richard Hammond crashed in 2006 when he span off in a high-powered supercar at 288mph.
The television star, nicknamed Hamster, was left in a coma following the high-speed smash in the jet-powered Vampire dragster.
Its right tyre blew as Hammond tried to set a new speed record at the RAF base.
The dad-of-two later revealed he had experienced depression, paranoia and memory loss due to brain damage suffered in the smash.
Popular all-rounder Freddie took 226 Test wickets for England and scored 3,845 runs in a glittering cricketing career.
He was also ‘man of the series’ in the memorable 2005 Ashes victory over Australia.
The A League Of Their Own host – married to Rachael Wools – retired in 2009 and staged one professional boxing fight three years later before moving into TV.
After starring in I’m A Celebrity in 2015 he was announced as the new host of Top Gear alongside Paddy, 49, and Chris, 47, in 2018.
The trio were an immediate hit with viewers and the show moved from BBC Two to a primetime slot on BBC One after 18 years in 2020.
A spokesman for the BBC told The Sun: “Freddie was injured in an accident at the Top Gear test track this morning – with crew medics attending the scene immediately.
“He has been taken to hospital for further treatment and we will confirm more details in due course.”
