Freddie Flintoff Reveals Shocking Truth Behind Top Gear Crash That Nearly Claimed His Life

Ever notice how a “warning: may be distressing” prompt at the top of an article instantly spikes your curiosity—like, do I need tissues, or will a helmet do? That’s exactly how I felt diving into the raw, real comeback story of Freddie Flintoff—the larger-than-life former Top Gear host who you might expect to crash a supercar, but not crash so hard it’d shake the lens through which he sees life itself . Instead of some daredevil joyride gone wrong, Flintoff’s new series, Field of Dreams, peels back the layers on the literal and metaphorical scars left by his near-fatal accident at Dunsfold Aerodrome . This is more than a celebrity skid on the test track; it’s about grappling with pain, facing anxieties that can’t be patched up in the ER, and mustering the kind of grit that would make even the Stig lose his cool . So yeah, you might wince—maybe even tear up—but if you’re after a story of survival that’s less about horsepower and more about the drive to keep going, you’re in the right place . LEARN MORE

Warning: this article contains content some readers may find distressing

Former Top Gear presenter Freddie Flintoff has opened up on his near-death accident on his new series, Field of Dreams.

The TV personality suffered from a number of severe injuries following the crash of a Morgan Super 3 at Dunsfold Aerodrome, Surrey, the site of Top Gear’s test track.

Now 47, Flintoff was airlifted to St George’s Hospital, London, where surgeons operated in him following the incident that left the former cricket star believing he could’ve died.

Photos showing how disfigured his face was upon arriving at the hospital, as well as following surgery, highlighted the extent of the crash and how his appearance had been changed forever.

Having landed face-first in the impact, Flintoff had a number of hard and soft tissue injuries following the crash, as well as broken teeth, broken ribs, and a fractured jaw.

Freddie Flintoff has opened up about the mental toll that his injury has had (Jan Kruger – ECB/ECB via Getty Images)

The surgeon who operated on Brit spoke in a documentary titled Flintoff which landed on Disney+ in April, admitting it was among the most severe he’d ever dealt with in this career.

Now, speaking on the new series of Field of Dreams, he opened up about the low points he faced following the accident, admitting that he didn’t know if he could keep going afterwards.

After setting up his first-ever girls team in Blackpool, the presenter spoke to a teenage girl and after being asked about the experience, he said: “It was, what – 18 months ago? I’ve suffered with things like depression in the past before, but this time was different.

“I didn’t know if I had it in me to carry on… not that I wanted to die or anything like that, I just didn’t know if I had it in me, and that took a while.”

Flintoff admitted previously on Field of Dreams On Tour that he’s ‘not the best’ at asking for help when he’s in a tough spot.

Speaking months after the accident, he admitted:

He added: “I need help, and I realise I’m not the best at asking for it. I need to stop crying every two minutes. I’ve got to look at the positives, haven’t I?

“I’m still here, I’ve got another chance, I’ve got to go at it. I’m seeing that as how it is, a second go.”

Flintoff shared more graphic snaps of his accident earlier this year (BBC)

The former athlete even said that he was struggling with anxiety, nightmares and flashbacks, admitting ‘if I don’t do something, I’ll never go. I’ve got to get on with it,’ when speaking about his then-upcoming tour to India with the cricket team.

Flintoff has been open about the aftermath of his crash, saying in the trailer of his documentary: “I remember everything about it… it’s so vivid.”

Field of Dreams: Ultimate Test, is set to air on BBC One on September 7.