Freddie’s car was reportedly not fitted with an air bag (Picture: BBC/Lee Brimble)
Freddie Flintoff’s Top Gear car, which led him to a horror crash, was reportedly not fitted with air bags.
In December last year, it was reported that the former cricket star was ‘lucky to be alive’ after an accident that occurred when he was filming the BBC series at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey.
Freddie’s car is said to have flipped and he was airlifted to hospital with broken ribs and facial injuries despite wearing a helmet.
A statement released at the time said: ‘Freddie was injured in an accident at the Top Gear test track this morning – with crew medics attending the scene immediately. He has been taken to hospital for further treatment and we will confirm more details in due course.’
It has now been reported that the car didn’t have any air bags, after claims that he had severe injuries due to the car not having a roof.
According to The Sun, Freddie was driving ‘an open-topped three-wheel classic-look sports car’.
The star was in a horror crash last year (Picture: Joe Maher/Getty Images)
The publication notes that the Morgan Super 3, which it claims Freddie was driving, does fit UK safety standards but does not have air bags.
A source told the publication: ‘Very little has been revealed about the accident and bosses are keen to keep a lid on details.
‘This revelation about not having an air bag is bound to spark questions from fans.’
It was recently reported that filming on the hit show was paused ‘indefinitely’ and according to reports, BBC bosses will soon address when the series will resume filming.
There has not yet been confirmation of when a new series could air (Picture: BBC Studios/Vincent Dolman)
‘The report is imminent. Only when it is finished and examined will a decision be made on whether Top Gear filming can restart,’ a source shared.
Previously addressing the programme’s future, a spokesperson told Metro.co.uk: ‘No date has yet been set for the broadcast of series 34 of Top Gear. Filming has been paused as we await the conclusion of the investigation into Freddie’s accident. When the investigation has concluded, a decision will then be taken on when to restart production.’
Following the accident, friends of Freddie recently claimed that the TV personality is rethinking whether he will return to the BBC motoring series, which was previously hosted by Jeremy Clarkson.
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The BBC and government body, the Health and Safety Executive, both launched probes into the incident last year, with a statement issued reading: ‘Our primary concern is and has been for the welfare of Freddie – as well as the Top Gear team. All health and safety procedures were followed on site and the incident is now being fully investigated, in line with standard policy and practice.’
BBC declined to comment when approached by Metro.co.uk.
Top Gear is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
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Freddie was involved in a horror crash in December last year.