BBC faces fresh questions amid claims Andrew Flintoff raised safety concerns ... trends now
The BBC is facing fresh questions amid claims Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff raised safety concerns with the Top Gear crew on the day of his horror 130mph crash.
The former England cricket captain was 'lucky to be alive' after his open-topped three-wheel 130mph Morgan Super 3 car, which had no air bags, flipped over on December 13 last year, leaving him with severe facial injuries and several broken ribs.
Top Gear is already facing an uncertain future amid concerns over its health and safety protocols, but fresh revelations about the day of the crash have mounted further pressure on BBC chiefs.
Flintoff, who was seen for the first time since his crash earlier this month as he joined the England cricket squad as a coach, is said to have to raised his fears to senior BBC chiefs.
A source told The Sun: 'Freddie voiced his worries about the safety of the stunt on set on the day of the accident.
The BBC is facing fresh questions amid claims that Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff raised safety concerns with the Top Gear crew on the day of his horror 130mph crash. Flintoff is pictured at England's One Day International against Ireland yesterday
The former England cricket captain, 45, was 'lucky to be alive' after his three-wheeled Morgan Super 3 car, which did not have air bags, flipped over on December 13
Flintoff made a return to the public eye earlier this month as he joined England's cricket side ahead of the ODI World Cup later this year
'He questioned whether or not it was OK, given the vehicle and conditions on the track.
"He was apprehensive before he got behind the wheel and production staff at the track were aware of this.'
The source added that Flintoff, 45, was used to taking part in stunts for the show but 'alarm bells were ringing'.
Top Gear has been on hiatus since filming for the 34th series was axed following the near-fatal crash at the show's test-track at Dunsfold Aerodrome, in Surrey.
Since then the future of show has been left hanging in the balance with some speculating it could be permanently taken off the air. It's future will be decided after a health and safety review into the show is concluded, according to sources.
Flintoff was the second presenter to be almost killed in a crash on the show, with Richard Hammond left in a coma following a horror smash in 2006.
The Ashes hero had to wait an 'agonising' 45 minutes for an air ambulance - with the BBC later giving him an apology.
Flintoff has not yet spoken publicly on the crash but made a return to cricket as an England coach. The facial injuries he suffered were still visible on his face, although they are already showing signs of healing.
The former England Test captain has been spending time with the current squad over the summer ahead of the upcoming ODI World Cup, which is set to take place in India from October.
Top Gear's future is hanging in the balance as health and safety bosses continue their probe into the near-fatal smash that almost killed co-host Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff.
