Piers Morgan has told talkSPORT Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff is ‘OK’ and recovering in hospital after his crash while filming Top Gear.
The TalkTV host is a good friend of the England cricket legend and says he has been in contact with the Flintoff family after the high-speed accident, which he revealed was more serious than first reported.
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Former talkSPORT host Flintoff was filming at the Top Gear test track at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey for the hit BBC motoring show on Tuesday morning when he was involved in a crash.
The 45-year-old was airlifted to hospital following the incident and needed medical treatment.
Morgan says Flintoff underwent surgery, but is now in recovery in hospital.
“It was a hell of a shock last night because you fear the worst when you hear there’s been a high-speed crash on Top Gear, remember what happened to Richard Hammond when he nearly died,” Morgan told the talkSPORT Breakfast on Wednesday.
“I’m told it was a pretty serious crash and that Freddie’s going to be OK, but it might be a little bit more serious than first appreciated.
“I’ve been in contact with them privately, but I just want to wish him and his family, Rachael his wife, all the very best and I think we’re all just keeping our fingers crossed that the big man comes through alright.
“I’m told he’s going to be OK which is great news, but I’m also told it was a pretty nasty bang and that he’s had surgery and is recovering now and we’ll have to wait and see.”
Flintoff’s son Corey, 16, also said that his dad was OK, adding: “I’m not too sure what happened but he is lucky to be alive.
“It was a pretty nasty crash. It is shocking. We are all shocked but just hope he’s going to be OK.”
The former England cricket captain and Ashes winner was announced as a new Top Gear host in October 2018 alongside Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris.
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Tuesday’s accident is not the first faced by Flintoff since he began working on the programme.
In February 2019 the presenter was involved in a minor incident when he crashed into a market stall in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.
In September of the same year he crashed again while driving a three-wheel vehicle at a reported speed of 124mph during filming for Top Gear at Elvington Airfield in Yorkshire, but walked away from the incident unharmed.
Former Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond was involved in a serious crash at the same airfield in 2006, leaving him in a coma.
A spokesperson for Top Gear confirmed the accident was being examined, but stressed that the correct precautions had been taken.
A statement issued on Wednesday evening read: “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.”
A BBC spokesperson added: “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.”
Earlier, the Health and Safety Executive has said it is looking into the matter.
“HSE is aware of this incident and is making inquiries,” said a spokesperson.
HSE is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions. It is procedure for the BBC to report the incident to the HSE and for inquiries to be made.