Top Gear’s Freddie Flintoff was left with horror face injuries for 45 MINUTES in near-fatal crash, shock dossier reveals

TOP Gear daredevil Freddie Flintoff was left in agony for 45 minutes with horror jaw injuries after his near-fatal crash.

The BBC is accused of failing to properly look after the star.

A damning dossier compiled by The Celeb Report shows Freddie was not wearing a helmet, the car had no airbag, and no stretcher could be found after the smash at Dunsfold aerodrome, Surrey.

The BBC was forced to conduct a health and safety review into Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff’s horrific Top Gear crash but is refusing to ever publish the findings.

The popular presenter, 45, was badly hurt when a roofless high-speed three-wheel car he was driving flipped and slid along a track.

And today, The Celeb Report can reveal:

• FREDDIE faced an agonising 45 minute wait for an air ambulance;
• NO medical stretcher could be located;
• THE star was not wearing a helmet;
• THE 130mph Morgan Super 3 sports car was not fitted with an airbag.

Insiders say that Freddie suffered horror injuries to his jaw and broken ribs in the near-fatal smash in December.

The Beeb — which has already publicly apologised to the ex-England cricket hero — conducted a full inquiry into the crash at the Top Gear Test Track at Dunsfold Park aerodrome in Surrey.

But the findings are being kept under wraps.

Last night a source said: “How this could have been allowed to happen on a notoriously high octane show like Top Gear, which is famed for its dangerous stunts, is beyond bewildering.

“The BBC has been keen to keep a lid on the extent of Freddie’s injuries for obvious reasons.

“The accident itself was far worse than anyone really realises – it’s hard to put into words, really; what he went through is simply unimaginable.

“But essentially the car turned over at speed, and Freddie — who also broke some ribs — understandably is traumatised by the whole thing.

“He’s been incredibly brave and stoical, and thankfully is getting stronger.

“He’s just taking things week by week.”

Following the crash, Freddie was airlifted to hospital.

A crew member, who was in the passenger seat, is also understood to have been injured.

The Health and Safety Executive was informed of the incident.

The source added: “A very young producer, in their early twenties, effectively signed off on the whole stunt.

“Certain members of the crew just feel like insufficient checks and measures were made in the run-up.

“The sense is that some of the driving stunts were being done on the cheap in order to save money. Lessons have been learned.”

It is not known if father-of-four Freddie, will return to TV.

Shows he was due to take part in are on hold and Top Gear filming has been axed indefinitely.

The source added: “A very young producer, in their early twenties, effectively signed off on the stunt.

“Certain members of the crew just feel like insufficient checks and measures were made in the run-up.

“The sense is that some of the driving stunts were being done on the cheap to save money. Lessons have been learned.”

Earlier this week, The Celeb Report revealed that the future of the long-running cult car show “hangs in the balance”.

Bulldozers have been seen at the aerodrome to work on a housing development.

Last month BBC Chief Content Officer Charlotte Moore revealed that filming for series 34 of Top Gear had been axed.

She said: “My priority at the moment is supporting Freddie through his recovery so I think it would be really inappropriate for us to resume filming now.”

She added: “I think we’ve got to talk about what Freddie wants to do.”

Shortly after news of the crash broke, the Ashes winner’s teenage son, Corey, claimed his dad was “lucky to be alive”

Freddie — who had been co-presenting Top Gear alongside Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris — was said by pal Piers Morgan to have required surgery.

Last night a source added: “Quite how the BBC can bring back Top Gear, and think it will ever entice a trio of presenters to perform death-defying stunts again, is a mystery.

On top of this, insurance costs will go through the roof — sadly, it just doesn’t seem feasible.

“To bring it back, without incredibly stringent measures which would alter the entire format of the show, seems very implausible. It’s the end of an era.”

Last month Freddie was pictured for the first time since the crash, being driven by wife, Rachael.

His mouth was covered by a high-neck sports scarf.

He has yet to comment on the incident and has not been on social media since December 10.

At present, he has not made any move to sue the BBC — but he could be in line for a seven-figure compensation payout depending on the investigation report’s findings.

Last night a BBC spokesman declined to comment, but referred to a statement released back in March.

It said: “BBC Studios has concluded its investigation into the accident which regrettably injured presenter Freddie Flintoff. We have sincerely apologised to Freddie and will continue to support him with his recovery.”

Near misses on hit show

FORMER Top Gear host Richard Hammond previously endured the worst crash in the BBC show’s history.

In 2006 he almost died at the wheel of a Vampire Dragster, which flipped at 288mph.

He was placed into an induced coma to aid his recovery.

Richard also endured a near-death experience while filming for The Grand Tour in 2017 when the Rimac he was driving careered off a hillside in Switzerland.

Since Richard’s 2006 crash no more serious Top Gear accidents were recorded until Freddie’s earlier this year.

Former hosts Jeremy Clarkson and James May previously had minor incidents, which they both walked away from.

Freddie also endured a bad smash in 2019.

He was driving a three-wheel cycle car when he crashed it at 125mph.

Luckily he walked away from the scene without lasting injuries.