Fans of Top Gear were devastated to learn that the 34th season will not continue production after presenter Freddie Flintoff’s terrifying mishap.
BBC Studios released a statement on March 23rd, saying that they will continue to support the star with his recovery, but adding that filming would be inappropriate at the moment.
In the upcoming months, we will assess the most suitable course of action, which is morally correct, but it will be disheartening for supporters. They stated, “We comprehend this.”
The 45-year-old former cricketer was airlifted to the hospital after experiencing a ‘terrifying’ crash while filming the last episode of BBC’s December show.
It is said that Freddie was filming an episode for the popular BBC show at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome before the accident.
The much-loved presenter was reportedly injured as he told the BBC cameras his opinion of the car for the show’s review segment.
His colleague Chris Harris was also present at the Top Gear test circuit during that period.
However, Freddie’s incident is far from the first to happen while shooting the long-running series – and wasn’t his first scare either.
Here we take a look at some of the biggest accidents in the history of Top Gear, where Clarkson Jeremy’s head was dislodged, Hammond Richard was put into a near-death coma.
Freddie Flintoff’s nearly deadly 124mph Top Gear accident – 2020
In 2020, Freddie Flintoff, a former English cricket player and sports figure, lost command following a collision at the remarkable velocity of 124mph, nearly resulting in his demise.
At York’s Elvington Airfield, the 45-year-old was operating a Time Bandit, a motorized trike that necessitated him to recline on his stomach with his head aligned with the road, when he exceeded the track.
Chris Harris and Paddy McGuinness, co-hosts of Top Gear, watched in horror as Freddie Flintoff misjudged the runway, causing a cloud of dust to spin off.
Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris, who were co-hosts of the show, competed in a drag race driving a Nissan GTR and a converted garden shed, respectively.
Newly published video from a headcam records Flintoff quickly transitioning to a verdant space on the periphery of the airfield near York.
“I am unable to cease – I am depleting the available space,” he exclaims to his co-actors in the horrifying video.
Speaking after his accident, Flintoff stated that he was ‘completely okay’.
On this particular occasion, I exceeded the limits to an excessive extent! It will appear more absurd than perilous when you witness it on television,” he supplemented. “I make extensive efforts to ensure my performance is exceptional in Top Gear drag competitions.
Richard Hammond, the presenter of Grand Tour, was placed in a coma in Switzerland due to a frontal lobe brain injury, resulting in the loss of control of a £2million supercar. He remained on life support in 2006.
Luckily for the daredevil, he miraculously survived the ordeal… But at one point doctors didn’t think he was going to make it.
Physicians were observing his vital signs and stated that he was on complete life support and respiratory device.
“No, not exactly,” responded the physicians when Mindy inquired if there was anything they could undertake. They believed Richard was on the brink of demise and informed his spouse.
Richard, a 52-year-old man, recently regained consciousness seconds after dying. He found strength within his mind and opened his eyes to a strange encounter with death.
The Top Gear star revealed that it was his wife’s screams that saved him from dying while he was in a coma.
And she indeed did. She inquired with the physicians if it would be permissible for her to yell at the Top Gear host subsequent to being informed that Richard might pass away.
“Evidently, she bellowed and yelled and cursed at me ‘do not you dare perish’, and that is when I regained consciousness.”
Richard Hammond’s Grand Tour Hill Ascent Accident – 2017
During the filming of the second season of The Grand Tour, Hammond’s electric sports car caught fire and severely injured his knee.
On a Swiss Hill Climb track, Richard impulsively drove himself and the vehicle off the edge, neglecting to apply the brakes for a turn while operating the Croatian-manufactured Rimac Concept_One.
Hammond experienced a broken knee, requiring the use of crutches for several months afterwards.
Regrettably for the vehicle, it emerged a little more damaged than the driver, erupting into flames and transforming into ashes.
Fortunately for Richard, his injuries were not too severe – but the event has resulted in him experiencing persistent knee discomfort.
The Grand Tour producer disclosed the complete magnitude of this disastrous collision to The Mirror in 2019.
When they saw the wreckage, Richard thought they were dead. It was really terrible. If Richard had been a few seconds slower in getting out, he would have been incinerated.
As per the producer, it was a ‘miracle’ that Hammond survived the accident that took place on the Hemberg Hill Climb.
James May collides with wall at maximum velocity – 2022
James May, the previous presenter of the well-liked TV program Top Gear, was swiftly transported to the hospital following a crash into a wall at a velocity of 75mph earlier in the current year.
The 59-year-old had been recording the Amazon Prime series The Grand Tour when the incident is reported to have taken place.
James, Hammond, and Clarkson, fellow hosts, have reportedly participated in a drag race-style race against each other.
After undergoing a brain scan and X-rays, he was given a clean bill of health before it was discovered that he had a fractured rib. However, his injuries were not serious enough to be life-threatening, which is a relief.
The paramedics swiftly arrived and Richard and Jeremy, their friends, were deeply worried. It was extremely concerning for them, as stated by a source speaking to The Sun newspaper at the time.
Things have gone terribly wrong here, and the medical staff are waiting in the wings, ready to act in case of a major emergency.
James was quite shaken and broke at least one rib. He was complaining about pain in his neck and back. His head was smashed quite hard in the impact and was bloodied.
Jeremy Clarkson’s ‘head is detached from his spine’ – 2008
Back in 2008, Jeremy Clarkson sustained painful injuries after he drove a Renault Magnum truck into a brick wall during a challenge.
At the time, during series 12 of Top Gear Jeremy said: “My ankle burst where the clutch pedal went through the wall.
“And the impact caused my head to become detached from my spine.”
In the same incident, prior to crashing the truck into the brick wall, Jeremy also sustained an injury to his upper body.
With a forceful collision of his upper body against the gear shifter, the host of Top Gear maneuvered his Renault Magnum truck on a skidpan. This slide across the cabin was a result of both driving at high speeds and neglecting to fasten his seat belt.
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