Andrew Flintoff, the renowned England cricketer turned TV presenter, has opened up about the terrifying car crash he endured while filming for the BBC's Top Gear. The incident, which occurred in December 2022, left Flintoff with severe facial and rib injuries, requiring extensive surgery. In a new Disney+ documentary, Flintoff vividly recalls the moments following the crash, believing he had died. "I thought I was dead, because I was conscious but I couldn't see anything," he said.

The crash took place at Top Gear's test track in Dunsfold Park Aerodrome, Surrey, where Flintoff was driving an open-topped Morgan Super 3. The vehicle flipped and slid, dragging Flintoff along the track. "I was frightened to death," he admitted, describing the agony he endured for nearly 40 minutes before an air ambulance arrived.

Flintoff's quick reflexes, honed from his cricket career, played a crucial role in minimizing further injuries. "As it started going over, I looked at the ground and I knew, if I get hit here on the side [of the head] then I'll break my neck, or if I get hit on the temple I'm dead. The best chance is to go face down," he explained.

Surgeon Jahrad Haq, who treated Flintoff, described the injuries as "very complex," involving a mixture of hard and soft tissue damage, broken teeth, and fractures in the upper jaw bone. Flintoff lost a significant portion of his upper and lower lip, but his resilience saw him through the ordeal.

Flintoff's return to cricket has been a pivotal part of his recovery. Coaching the England Lions, he found a renewed sense of purpose. His wife, Rachael, emphasized the importance of cricket in his healing process: "When Andrew needed it most, cricket was there for him. I do think cricket saved him."

In addition to his return to cricket, Flintoff has continued his television career, hosting the second series of Freddie Flintoff's Field of Dreams and a reboot of the darts game show Bullseye. Despite the trauma, Flintoff remains optimistic, focusing on the support of his family and his passion for cricket.

The documentary, Flintoff, offers an intimate look at his journey from the crash to recovery, and is available on Disney+ from April 25. Flintoff's story is a testament to his resilience and the enduring spirit of a sportsman.