Full Breakdown
Former Top Gear Passenger Sues BBC Studios Over 2022 Crash
7/13/2026, 12:16:08 AM
Incident Overview
On 13 December 2022, a three-wheeled Morgan Super 3 overturned on Top Gear’s test track at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey while filming. Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff was driving; Paul Rees, a racing driver, sat in the passenger seat providing “expert driving advice.” Mic recordings captured Flintoff’s concern when the front wheel lifted, followed by Rees’s reassurance that the car could not roll over. Approaching the same corner again, Rees instructed Flintoff to “now turn right… now full power, full power,” after which the vehicle rolled, dragging Flintoff face-down for about 50 metres. Flintoff suffered serious facial and rib injuries and later described the experience as thinking he was dead.
Legal Claim
In December 2025, Rees filed a claim against BBC Studios seeking up to £150,000 for personal injury, alleging that his instructions caused the rollover. The claim form, obtained by BBC News, states that Rees was not aware of any injuries at the time of the crash and did not report any thereafter. The lawsuit contends that BBC Studios was negligent in allowing Rees to give “faulty instructions” that led to the accident.
BBC Studios Response
BBC Studios denied negligence, asserting that Rees “did not complain of any injuries at the time or after the crash.” The broadcaster’s defence filings argue that the front wheel lifted and, “because on the claimant’s instruction the presenter continued to apply power the Morgan turned over.” BBC Studios issued a statement: “We dispute this claim and are defending it. As it’s now before the courts, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
Settlement and Show Status
The parties reached a compensation settlement in 2023, after which the BBC “rested” Top Gear. Recent reports indicate the broadcaster is exploring a possible return of the programme.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We dispute this claim and are defending it. As it's now before the courts, it would be inappropriate to comment further.” — BBC Studios
- “a front wheel lifted and because on the claimant's instruction the presenter continued to apply power the Morgan turned over” — BBC Studios defence filing
- “At no time in the period after the accident did the claimant suggest that he had suffered any injury in the accident.” — court document cited by BBC Studios
- “I thought I was dead,” — Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff (Disney+ documentary)
