Top Gear’s future is in doubt as filming stops indefinitely after Freddie Flintoff’s horror crash
BBC Studios has suspended production on the next series of Top Gear after presenter Freddie Flintoff suffered injuries while filming.
The cricket star had to be airlifted to hospital in December after getting into a crash at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey, where Top Gear's test track is located.
Flintoff suffered broken ribs and facial injuries and his son, Corey, said he was 'lucky to be alive'.
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The BBC said at the time 'crew medics [attended] the scene immediately', and that it would 'confirm more details in due course'.
It launched an investigation into the incident, and in a statement released today (24 March) BBC Studios said it had apologised to Flintoff for the events that unfolded.
"[We] will continue to support him with his recovery," the BBC continued.
The broadcaster has previously assured Flintoff's injuries were not life threatening, and that the accident didn't happen at high speed.
Flintoff, who joined Top Gear in 2019, is reported to have been driving an open-topped, three-wheel Morgan Super 3 car when it flipped and slid along the track.
Both Flintoff and a crew member in the passenger seat were wearing helmets, but they weren't enough to prevent the presenter from suffering injuries.
His son Corey described the incident as 'pretty nasty' in a statement to the Mail Online afterwards, adding: "It is shocking. We are all shocked but just hope he’s going to be OK."
The BBC's statement said that 'under the circumstances', it would be 'inappropriate to resume making series 34 of Top Gear at this time'.
No information has been provided about when the show might pick up again, with the BBC adding: “We understand this will be disappointing for fans, but it is the right thing to do, and we’ll make a judgement about how best to continue later this year. This has also impacted the production team, who we continue to support.
"Finally, there will be a health and safety review of the show, in line with our procedures."
It's not the first time Flintoff has been involved in a car crash since he joined the show; he previously got into an accident in 2019 after losing control of a motorised trike while racing at 124mph.
He managed to walk away from the accident at the time, saying afterwards: "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.”
Topics: Top Gear, Cars, BBC, TV and Film
Emily Brown