Freddie Flintoff 'thought entire face had come off' in horror first moments after crash

During an emotional interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored, Freddie Flintoff, 47, detailed the harrowing crash while filming Top Gear, which changed his life. The former cricketer was left with severe injuries and scarring following the incident, which happened at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in December 2022. "You had this horrific crash, which you survived," Piers told the sports ace, who admitted in response: "I did think I was dead. I thought, 'Is this what it is when you die?'

"I got dragged under the car and I'd taken a big impact." He expanded: "I didn't think I had a face, and being pleased I was still there turned into fear pretty quickly." Piers went on to ask how important Freddie's family was to him as he recovered from the terrifying ordeal.

Freddie confessed: "I am sure I wasn't easy. I'd cry a lot, and I'd get snappy, and I'd get angry. I was a mess." However, the former sportsman confirmed his wife, Rachael Wools Flintoff, had to be strong for both of them as they realised "how fragile life can be".

The star later revealed he returned to the driving seat about four months ago, while he admitted "it's been an adjustment" to be in control of a vehicle again. He added: "You know, I suffer from PTSD. I have flashbacks and nightmares, but I've probably got more of an acceptance of them now."

His former co-host, Chris Harris, previously opened up about the crash, warning just three months before the incident that someone was going to die on the BBC show.

Speaking on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Chris said: "Three months before the accident, l'd gone to the BBC and said, 'Unless you change something, someone's going to die on this show.'

"I was there on the day. I was the only presenter with Fred that day. I remember the radio message that I heard. I heard someone say, "'This has been a real accident here. The car's upside down.'

"So I ran to the window, looked out, and he wasn't moving. So I thought he was dead. I assumed he was, then he moved."

In 2023, a BBC spokesperson said: "We have sincerely apologised to Freddie and will continue to support him with his recovery."

A health and safety review was carried out that same year before Freddie received a £9million payout from the corporation.