Freddie Flintoff ‘lucky to be alive’ after ‘nasty’ Top Gear crash, says son

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Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff’s son says the former England cricket captain is “lucky to be alive” after he was injured while filming for Top Gear.

Flintoff was hurt on Tuesday morning during an incident at the programme’s test track at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey, with the BBC confirming he was taken to hospital for treatment.

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The 45-year-old, who has carved out a successful television career since the end of his playing days and began hosting the motoring show in 2019, was reportedly airlifted from the scene.

Son Corey, 16, told MailOnline the situation had been perilous.

“He’s OK. I’m not too sure what happened but he is lucky to be alive,” he said.

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“It was a pretty nasty crash. It is shocking. We are all shocked but just hope he’s going to be OK.”

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Freddie Flintoff’s Top Gear crash ‘being looked into’ by Health and Safety board...

Piers Morgan, a friend of Flintoff’s, said he had contacted the family and echoed both the severity of the situation and the optimistic outlook.

Top Gear presenter Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff was taken to hospital after being involved in an accident while filming for the show (Credit: Getty Images)Top Gear presenter Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff was taken to hospital after being involved in an accident while filming for the show (Credit: Getty Images)
Top Gear presenter Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff was taken to hospital after being involved in an accident while filming for the show (Credit: Getty Images)

“I’m told it was a pretty serious crash and that Freddie’s going to be OK, but it might be a little bit more serious than first appreciated,” he told talkSPORT.

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“I’m told he’s going to be OK which is great news, but I’m also told it was a pretty nasty bang and that he’s had surgery and is recovering now and we’ll have to wait and see.

“I’ve been in contact with them privately, but I just want to wish him and his family, Rachel his wife, all the very best and I think we’re all just keeping our fingers crossed that the big man comes through alright.”

While many now know Flintoff for his TV work, he is still best remembered for his time as a tubthumping all-rounder, most notably during the unforgettable Ashes victory in 2005.

Flintoff was announced, ahead of the show’s 27th series, as a new host of Top Gear in October 2018 alongside Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris (David Parry/PA)Flintoff was announced, ahead of the show’s 27th series, as a new host of Top Gear in October 2018 alongside Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris (David Parry/PA)
Flintoff was announced, ahead of the show’s 27th series, as a new host of Top Gear in October 2018 alongside Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris (David Parry/PA)

He went on to lead his country, finishing with 79 Test caps and 148 limited-overs internationals.

One of his predecessors as England skipper, Nasser Hussain, is commentating on the ongoing tour of Pakistan and reported that Ben Stokes’ team have been thinking of Flintoff since hearing the news.

He told Sky Sports News: “We have been following it out here and trying to get in touch with Freddie’s agent and people around Freddie.

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“The England team are in their team room and they’re a little bit concerned. Fingers crossed that Freddie is OK. He is a larger than life character. Hopefully good news will follow.”

Flintoff won the Ashes urn twice as a player (Gareth Copley/PA)Flintoff won the Ashes urn twice as a player (Gareth Copley/PA)
Flintoff won the Ashes urn twice as a player (Gareth Copley/PA)

Meanwhile, the Health and Safety Executive has said it is looking into the accident.

“HSE is aware of this incident and is making inquiries,” said a spokesperson.

HSE is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions.

It is procedure for the BBC to report the incident to the HSE and for inquiries to be made.