Andrew Flintoff, the former England allrounder, has spoken publicly for the first time about the near-fatal crash he suffered while filming Top Gear, saying he “remembers everything” from the incident, in a new Disney+ documentary exploring his life and career.
The crash occurred in December 2022 at Dunsfold Aerodrome, when Flintoff’s open-topped, three-wheeled Morgan Super 3 overturned at a speed of 130 mph. He sustained serious facial injuries and broken ribs and had to be airlifted to hospital. The BBC later paid Flintoff a reported £9 million in compensation and placed Top Gear on an indefinite hiatus.
The documentary, directed by John Dower and set to release on April 25, includes never-before-seen footage of the aftermath. In the trailer, Flintoff is shown entering hospital for treatment and reflecting on the incident: “I remember everything about it. It’s so vivid.”
Following the accident, Flintoff stepped away from the public eye for several months. He expressed frustration with the media’s speculation during that time: “I’ve lived under the radar for seven months. One of the real frustrations was the speculation. That’s why I’m doing this now — to talk about what actually happened.”
He continued, “Everyone wants more, you’re just a commodity. I’m not saying I’m embracing [my scars], but I’m not trying to hide them either. It’s almost like a reset. I’m trying to find out who I am now. I’ve always been able to flick a switch — I’ve got to find that switch again.”
Flintoff’s gradual return to cricket has played a vital role in his recovery. Encouraged by England men’s director of cricket and longtime friend Rob Key, Flintoff made a low-key appearance during the 2023 Ashes and has since taken up coaching roles, including head coach positions with the Northern Superchargers in The Hundred and England Lions.
Beyond cricket, he returned to television as host of ITV’s revived Bullseye and filmed a second season of his widely praised series Field of Dreams, during which he visited India with a group of young cricketers and opened up about the mental toll of his experience.
“I struggle with anxiety, I have nightmares, I have flashbacks — it’s so hard to cope,” he said in the series. “I genuinely should not be here with what happened. It’s going to be a long road back and I’ve only just started. I’m going to need help. I really am. I’m not the best at asking for it.”
The documentary also includes interviews with Flintoff’s wife Rachael, former teammates like Michael Vaughan, and friends such as Jack Whitehall and James Corden.
Top Gear co-host Chris Harris, speaking to Joe Rogan, recalled the aftermath of the crash and praised Flintoff’s physical resilience: “Fred’s a big guy — six foot five or six, strong. If he hadn’t been so physically fit, he wouldn’t have survived. He’s a great advert for strength and conditioning. A lesser man would’ve snapped his neck.”
Following the incident, the BBC conducted an independent health and safety review. A spokesperson said the review found the production met required standards but identified “important learnings” that must be applied to any future Top Gear projects.
