Freddie Flintoff makes heartbreaking admission about mental health after near-fatal Top Gear crash

Freddie Flintoff has revealed just how deeply the horrific crash he suffered while filming Top Gear affected him, admitting there was a point when he did not know whether he had the strength to carry on.

The former England cricketer and TV presenter spoke candidly about the aftermath of the accident in the new series of Field of Dreams, offering a glimpse into the mental and physical struggles he has faced since the December 2022 crash.

Freddie Flintoff opens up about life after the crash

Flintoff, now 47, was seriously injured when the Morgan Super 3 he was driving crashed at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey, where Top Gear filmed sections of its test track.

He was airlifted to St George’s Hospital in London after the accident, where surgeons operated on his injuries.

The crash left Flintoff with extensive hard and soft tissue injuries after he landed face-first. He also suffered broken teeth, broken ribs and a fractured jaw.

Images taken when he arrived at hospital, as well as photographs showing him after surgery, revealed the severity of his injuries and the extent to which his face had been affected.

The surgeon who treated him later discussed the injuries in the Disney+ documentary Flintoff, which was released in April. He described the case as one of the most severe he had encountered during his career.

But while the physical injuries were immediately visible, Flintoff has also spoken increasingly openly about the psychological impact of the accident.

I didn’t know if I had it in me

In Field of Dreams, Flintoff reflected on the darkest period of his recovery while discussing the experience of setting up his first girls’ cricket team in Blackpool.

Speaking to a teenage girl, he explained that his mental health struggles after the accident were different from what he had experienced previously.

“It was, what – 18 months ago? I’ve suffered with things like depression in the past before, but this time was different.

“I didn’t know if I had it in me to carry on… not that I wanted to die or anything like that, I just didn’t know if I had it in me, and that took a while.”

His comments highlight how difficult the period following the crash became for him, despite his continued efforts to return to everyday life and work.

Flintoff had previously acknowledged in Field of Dreams On Tour that asking for help has never come easily to him.

He recognised that he needed support while trying to deal with the emotional consequences of the accident.

“I need help, and I realise I’m not the best at asking for it. I need to stop crying every two minutes. I’ve got to look at the positives, haven’t I?

“I’m still here, I’ve got another chance, I’ve got to go at it. I’m seeing that as how it is, a second go.”

Anxiety, nightmares and flashbacks

Flintoff has also described experiencing anxiety, nightmares and flashbacks in the months after the crash.

At one point, while discussing an upcoming trip to India with the cricket team, he acknowledged that he could not simply allow fear to stop him from moving forward.

“If I don’t do something, I’ll never go. I’ve got to get on with it,” he said.

His willingness to discuss those experiences has given a clearer picture of the challenges he has faced since the accident. The crash left him dealing with significant physical injuries while also confronting the psychological effects of what had happened.

Earlier this year, Flintoff shared more graphic photographs from the aftermath of the accident, providing further evidence of how serious his injuries had been.

He has continued to speak about the lasting memories of the crash, describing them as exceptionally vivid.

“I remember everything about it… it’s so vivid,” Flintoff says in the trailer for his documentary.

Field of Dreams: Ultimate Test is set to air on BBC One on September 7.