Flintoff Passenger Sues BBC Over Top Gear Crash

Racing driver Paul Rees is suing BBC Studios for up to £150,000 following a 2022 crash on the Top Gear test track at Dunsfold Aerodrome. The incident, which occurred during filming, involved an open-topped Morgan Super 3 and left former presenter Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff with serious injuries.

Legal Claims and the 2022 Dunsfold Aerodrome Crash

Paul Rees, 41, a stunt driver who has appeared in commercial advertisements for major automotive brands like Ferrari and McLaren, was in the passenger seat of the three-wheeled vehicle when it overturned on December 13, 2022. While Andrew Flintoff’s injuries—which included a fractured jaw and broken ribs—were widely publicized, the fact that a second individual was in the car remained largely unknown until recently.

Rees is seeking damages of up to £150,000 for personal injury. In response, BBC Studios has disputed the claim and is defending the case in court. A spokesperson for the broadcaster stated: We dispute this claim and are defending it. As it’s now before the courts, it would be inappropriate to comment further.

Disputed Instructions and the Moments Before Impact

Court documents have surfaced that provide a technical account of the moments leading up to the crash.

BBC cancels Top Gear following Freddie Flintoff crash

BBC Studios further contends that the vehicle overturned because Flintoff continued to apply power on the instruction of the passenger. Additionally, the broadcaster asserts that at no time in the period after the accident did the claimant suggest that he had suffered any injury in the accident.

Broader Fallout for the Top Gear Franchise

While Flintoff previously reached a confidential compensation settlement with the BBC in 2023—reportedly valued at £9 million—the new legal action from Rees introduces a fresh challenge for the broadcaster. The show has remained off-air since the incident, and while there have been industry reports regarding a potential return of the series, the BBC has yet to formally announce a resumption of production.

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