Freddie Flintoff's fateful 'final words' before horror Top Gear crash revealed amid fears BBC show may never return | The Sun
FREDDIE Flintoff's fateful "final words" before his horror Top Gear crash have been revealed.
The England cricket legend, 45, suffered serious facial injuries and broken ribs in a 130mph crash while filming the popular show in December last year.
He was driving an open-topped three-wheeled Morgan Super 3 when it flipped over at the Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey.
Freddie wasn't wearing a helmet at the time of the near-fatal accident, which saw his face scrape across the floor.
And according to Mail on Sunday sources, Freddie's last words before the terrifying smash were: "Do I need a helmet?"
Freddie – who has not spoken publicly about the smash – faced an agonising 45-minute wait for an air ambulance to transport him to hospital following the crash.
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And it's been claimed by insiders that nobody at the aerodrome could find a stretcher for the popular presenter.
It has since transpired that the vehicle Freddie was driving at the time of the accident did not have an airbag.
Some reports suggest the co-driver did have a helmet on.
Freddie's wife of 18 years, Rachel, was "told to expect the worst" as she raced from their home in Cheshire to Surrey after being told of the horrific crash.
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Freddie underwent four hours of surgery – with the public not knowing his status until he made an appearance this month.
After narrowly escaping death, a brave Freddie was last week pictured helping coach the England cricket team, in Cardiff, for their match against New Zealand.
Nine months on, the aftermath of the crash could still be seen as the former cricketer appeared with cuts, bruises and scabs on his face.
Scarring was also noticeable with one spanning from his nose and down to his chin.
And according to the Mail on Sunday, sources have said that Top Gear "will not and cannot" return for another series.
The paper also revealed that the production team is being dismantled quietly.
It's understood BBC insiders have confirmed there is zero development for a new series with no plans to televise series 34 – which is part-filmed.
Top Gear hasn't been aired since Freddie's traumatic smash.
Over the summer, Freddie covered his face as he attended three Ashes Tests in person as a guest of England's director of cricket Rob Key.
Freddie watched one match "incognito" from a back office and attended the ground in disguise so to not draw attention.
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The BBC, meanwhile, has publicly apologised to Freddie and has conducted an inquiry into the near-fatal crash.
The findings of the probe have not been released.
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