Freddie Flintoff was reportedly left writhing in pain for 45 minutes after he crashed in an open-topped car and staff were said to be unable to find a stretcher for him.
The ex-cricketer broke his rib and suffered facial and jaw injuries in his horror crash in December while filming a stunt for a Top Gear at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey.
The BBC is now being accused of failing to properly look after the star, after the 45-year-old was reportedly not wearing a helmet in a three-wheeled car – which did not have an airbag fitted.
After the near-fatal crash in the 130mph Morgan Super 3, The Sun reported a stretcher could not be found for the daredevil presenter – who was eventually airlifted to hospital.
The BBC has since conducted a health and safety review into the incident but is not publishing the findings.
Freddie Flintoff was reportedly left writhing in pain for 45 minutes after he flipped a three-wheel open-top Morgan Super 3 while filming for Top Gear (seen on Top Gear last year)
Staff were reportedly unable to find a stretcher for the 45-year-old after he crashed an open-topped three-wheel 130mph Morgan Super 3 car
The TV host, pictured here with co-presenters Chris Harris and Paddy McGuinness, had been filming the latest series of the show, which was due to be aired this autumn
The BBC has been keen to ‘keep a lid’ on the extent of Freddie’s injuries, according to one insider.
Speaking to The Sun, a source said: ‘The accident itself was far worse than anyone really realises – it’s hard to put into words, really; what he went through is simply unimaginable.
‘But essentially the car turned over at speed, and Freddie — who also broke some ribs — understandably is traumatised by the whole thing.
The source added: ‘A very young producer, in their early twenties, effectively signed off on the whole stunt.’
The outlet reported that members of the crew feel ‘insufficient checks’ were in place before the dangerous stunt went ahead.
The BBC axed the latest series of Top Gear after Freddie’s crash who is now said to be unlikely to return to the show.
A BBC spokesman declined to comment, The Sun reported, but referred to a statement released back in March.
That statement said: ‘BBC Studios has concluded its investigation into the accident which regrettably injured presenter Freddie Flintoff. We have sincerely apologised to Freddie and will continue to support him with his recovery.’
He has reportedly said he’s unable to continue in his role after he was involved in an accident while filming at a test track on December 13 last year.
Filming on the series was suspended while Flintoff recovered from his injuries and investigations took place, with reports the former professional cricketer was putting his TV career on hold – and there are now fears the future of the entire programme could be in jeopardy.
Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff (pictured) was seriously injured in a crash while filming the latest series of Top Gear
Details: The classic-look £43,000 British handmade vehicle, which is described as a ‘motorised tricycle’, does not have air bags, according to maker Morgan’s website
Reports have said the father-of-four had decided to leave the programme before the BBC confirmed it was halting filming of the next series, which had been set for release in the autumn.
An insider told The Times: ‘Freddie has been seriously emotionally and physically affected by the crash. He is a daredevil, that’s what he does, and he doesn’t feel like he is able to continue to play that role on the show.’
Flintoff, who won the Ashes with England as a cricket player before into TV presenting, had been driving a classic-look £43,000 British handmade vehicle –which is described as a ‘motorised tricycle’ and does not have air bags, according to maker Morgan’s website.
The incident was said to have left the cast and crew ‘reeling from the shock’, with concerns over the future of the show which has had a history of serious crashes.
After the crash his family reportedly begged him to stay away from work while he recovers, with an insider telling The Sun he would be ‘putting his career on hold until he is in a better place mentally and physically’.
They added: ‘As a loving husband and dad he understands the fear his family feel about what’s happened, knowing that he could have been killed. He is determined to resume his TV work at some point though.
After the incident his 16-year-old son Corey told MailOnline: ‘He’s OK. I’m not too sure what happened but he is lucky to be alive.
‘It was a pretty nasty crash. It is shocking. We are all shocked but just hope he’s going to be OK.’
The smash came three years after the ex-cricketer narrowly cheated death following a 125mph crash.
In 2019, Flintoff was heard fearfully yelling ‘I can’t stop,’ as he hurtled head-first down a runway just inches off the ground in a three-wheeled cycle car.
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