Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff’s horror crash sports car was not equipped with airbags.
The TV presenter, 45, drove an open three-wheeled 210 mph Morgan Super 3 car for Top gear in December last year when the vehicle overturned at an airport.
The £43,000 classic British handmade vehicle, described as a “motorized three-wheeler,” doesn’t have airbags, according to maker Morgan’s website.
Former cricketer Andrew suffered broken ribs and serious facial injuries after the accident.
An internal health and safety investigation by the BBC is reportedly nearing completion and the broadcaster’s bosses could take legal action by those involved.
Road smash: Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff’s horror-crash sports car wasn’t equipped with airbags, it’s surfaced
Disaster: The 45-year-old TV presenter was driving an open three-wheeled Morgan Super 3 car at 130 mph for Top Gear in December last year when the vehicle overturned
A source told The sun: ‘Very little has been revealed about the accident and the bosses are keen to withhold the details.
“This revelation about the lack of an airbag will undoubtedly raise questions among fans.”
The BBC declined to comment when contacted by MailOnline.
Sportsman Freddie has taken time off from all work to recover And Top Gear is reportedly not returning.
The Morgan Motor Company was known for making three-wheeled cars before the war before returning them to production in the 2000s.
Freddie was airlifted to hospital after the crash while filming an episode of Top Gear at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey.
A source told The sun at the time: “Freddie is in hospital after crashing on Top Gear.
“He was just riding the track. He wasn’t driving at high speeds – it was just an accident that could happen to anyone.
Still recovering: Former cricketer Andrew was left with broken ribs and serious facial injuries after the accident
Details: The £43,000 classic British handmade vehicle, described as a “motorized three-wheeler,” has no airbags, according to maker Morgan’s website
All usual health and safety measures were also in place before filming.
Freddie was taken to hospital by air ambulance shortly afterwards.
His injuries are not life-threatening and he is receiving treatment.
“Filming has been postponed for now and all anyone cares about is Freddie recovering.”
A BBC spokesperson confirmed that Freddie was involved in the crash and has been taken to hospital for further treatment.
Freddie became a Top Gear presenter in 2019 and the former England captain was involved in a crash shortly after joining the BBC show.
The incident happened during a drag race involving fellow presenters Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris.
He went on to say, “I do everything I can to make sure I do well in Top Gear drag racing, but on this occasion I went a few steps too far. It will seem ridiculous rather than dangerous when you see it on TV.’
Investigation: An internal health and safety investigation by the BBC is nearing completion and the broadcaster’s bosses could face legal action from those involved
Meanwhile, a BBC spokesperson said at the time: ‘The health and safety of our presenters and crew on Top Gear is paramount.
As viewers of the recent series will have seen, Freddie is often keen to go “off the beaten track”.
“Tuesday’s shooting at Elvington Airfield was no exception – but he suffered no injuries as a result of his spontaneous detour, as fans will see for themselves when we show the sequence in full in the next series.”
In the meantime, former Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond previously said he was ‘too scared’ to be checked for dementia after his horror crash.
The 53-year-old TV presenter – who fronted the BBC Two program with Jeremy Clarkson and James May from 2002 to 2015 – suffered brain damage after a catastrophic car accident while filming the show in 2006.
Richard – who had life-altering side effects including post-traumatic amnesia – now fears his worsening memory could be dementia brought on by the high-speed crash.
On hold: Officials immediately stopped filming after the crash and began investigating the incident (LR: Freddie Flintoff, Chris Harris, Paddy McGuinness)
Speak on the Diary of a CEO podcast he said: ‘I’m worried about my memory because it’s not brilliant. I can still read a script and deliver it, but my long-term memory isn’t great.
“I have to write things down and sometimes work hard to remember them. It could be age, it could be the start of something else. I worry about that. I do.’
The TV star admitted to suffering from depression after the crash, and his wife Mindy, 57, was warned that a brain injury could result.
He added, “Mindy was told by the doctors that a frontal lobe injury might lead me to have a greater tendency toward obsessive compulsions and depression and paranoia.
She was like, “You didn’t meet him before the crash, did you?” which is quite funny.’
Richard’s horror crash came while filming an episode of Top Gear at RAF Elvington airfield near York, in September 2006.
Richard was traveling at 519 km/h in a Vampire dragster – a jet-powered car capable of speeds of 600 km/h – when the right front tire unexpectedly failed, causing the engine to spin out of control and flip upside down .
The media personality had to be cut out with hydraulic shears before being rushed to hospital.
Fears: Meanwhile, former Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond previously said he was ‘too scared’ to be checked for dementia after his horror crash