Top Gear’s The Stig thought Andrew Flintoff died in crash
By Sean O'Grady, Press Association Deputy Entertainment Editor
Top Gear’s The Stig thought Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff was going to die after he was “sprayed” with his blood during a crash at the show’s test track.
Flintoff, 48, was taken to hospital with facial and rib injuries following the accident at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey in December 2022.
Paul Rees, who was The Stig from 2019 to 2022, was sitting beside Flintoff in the Morgan Super 3 on the day it crashed.
Speaking to The Sun, Rees said: “I was getting wet and I was like, ‘why am I getting wet?’ because it wasn’t fuel or anything like that.
“Then my vision went red and I now know that was blood from Fred just spraying me in the face.
“I pulled him back next to me, took one look at him and I thought he was dead.
“A million things went through my mind in that moment, but we just had to save Fred.”
The car, which did not have a roof, flipped upside down and skidded on the tarmac before coming to a stop.
Rees said: “I remember thinking that if we can get out of this and be in wheelchairs, we’re lucky.
“It was a terrifying thought.
“Everything goes in slow motion.
“I genuinely felt like we were going to potentially die, because we had no protection.”
Rees said he believed there was “no way” someone could have survived the injuries.
It was reported last week that Rees is suing BBC Studios and is seeking up to £150,000 for personal injury.
A BBC Studios spokesperson said: “We dispute this claim and are defending it. As it’s now before the courts, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
Flintoff previously revealed he was deeply impacted by the crash and did not leave his house for six months other than to attend medical appointments.
Speaking on Piers Morgan Uncensored, he said: “You know, I suffer from PTSD.
“I have flashbacks and nightmares, but I’ve probably got more of an acceptance of them now.”
After the crash, the BBC said Top Gear would be “rested” for the foreseeable future, after reaching a financial settlement with Flintoff, an agreement reportedly worth around £9 million.