How Top Gear’s Freddie Flintoff was hurt during filming as details of horror crash revealed

TOP Gear host Freddie Flintoff’s crash was in an open-topped car with a crew member inside, The Sun on Sunday can reveal.

The vehicle flipped over and slid along the track, injuring ex-England cricketer Freddie, 45, and another man.

The presenter was seriously hurt and airlifted to hospital with facial injuries and broken ribs.

Ashes hero Freddie crashed during filming at Surrey’s Dunsfold Aerodrome in December.

A TV insider said: “The injuries were more severe as the car didn’t have a roof.

"It was a freak accident and somehow the car flipped over and the two men were dragged along.

“Freddie and the crew member were both wearing helmets, but it was still a severe accident.

“Everyone on the scene was shocked by how serious it was and they were very worried about the two men strapped in.

“Very little has been revealed about the accident and bosses are keen to keep a lid on details.

"Production has been halted while Freddie and the crew member recover.

"No-one is rushing back to work any time soon.

"The future of the show is in serious doubt.”

Last week, The Sun revealed the show will not return this year and Freddie has suspended work on all other projects while he recovers.

His crash has been compared to that of former Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond, 53, who was left in a coma for two weeks after a jet-powered dragster he was driving crashed at nearly 300mph in 2006.