Top Gear presenter Freddie Flintoff was airlifted to hospital after a crash at the Top Gear test track at Dunsfold Park Airport in Surrey on Tuesday 13 December. Thankfully, Freddie’s injuries were not life-threatening, but hosts have had near-death experiences over the years.
Freddie Flintoff’s 124 mph Top Gear Crash – 2020
His latest hospital trip wasn’t Freddie’s first, as the former cricketer almost died last year when he crashed while playing at a staggering 124mph before losing control.
He sprinted across the track while filming a challenge that required him to get face down at York Elvington Airport.
His co-hosts Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris watched in horror, and his camera footage heard him yelling: “I can’t stop – I’m about to run off the runway.”
Speaking of the subsequent crash, Freddie said: “I did everything I could to make sure I did well in the Top Gear drag race.
“But this time, I went too far! When you see it on TV, it looks more ridiculous than dangerous.”
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Richard Hammond’s Dying Coma – 2006
Grand Tour presenter Richard Hammond lost control of a 2m supercar in Switzerland, leaving him in a coma on life support and brain injuries.
He miraculously survived the shocking event, although doctors deemed him unlikely to survive.
Richard was on life support when doctors told his wife they thought he was dying.
He recently opened up about his death, explaining that his wife’s screams saved him.
Richard explained to the Mirror: “Apparently she was growling and screaming and swearing at me ‘you dare not die’ and then I woke up.”
James May hits the wall at full speed – 2022
Earlier this year, former Top Gear presenter James May was rushed to hospital after crashing into a wall at 75mph.
James, who joined hosts Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond in a rally, failed to make a sharp turn and crashed into a wall.
Fortunately, the injuries were not life-threatening, but the Grand Tour host suffered broken ribs.
A source told The Sun: “It looked very worrying at first. Jeremy and Richard were worried about their partner and paramedics rushed in quickly.
“As always with a shoot of this scale, medical staff are waiting in case – as they have done here – things go horribly wrong.
“James hit his head hard on the impact and was bleeding from it. He complained of back and neck pain. He broke at least one rib and was terrified of it.”
“Head Comes Off Spine” by Jeremy Clarkson – 2008
Following in the footsteps of his partner, Jeremy Clarkson was injured after his Renault Magnum truck crashed into a brick wall during a challenge.
At the time, the trio was still airing season 12 of Top Gear, and during the episode, Jeremy explained: “My ankle popped right where the clutch pedal went through the wall.
“My head came off my spine due to the impact.”
Unfortunately for Jeremy, he was also injured while driving his Renault Magnum truck around the skateboard in the same episode.
A combination of speeding and not wearing a seat belt caused him to slide across the cab and hit his torso against the gear lever.
Top Gear is available on BBC iPlayer.
