The high-speed world of Top Gear has been rocked by a lawsuit from passenger Paul Rees, who's claiming damages exceeding £100,000 from BBC Studios. In a devastating crash that left former cricketer Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff fighting for his life, Rees is alleging PTSD and serious back injuries, all blamed on the broadcaster's lax safety measures. The drama unfolded at Dunsfold Airfield in Surrey last December, when the trio was filming a 'power test' between a Morgan Super 3 and Toyota GR86.
According to court documents, Rees was employed by Top Gear to provide expert driving advice as they attempted to drift the three-wheeled vehicle around the infamous 'Chicago' bend. In a hair-raising manoeuvre, Rees claims he instructed Flintoff to apply 'full power', despite warning signs that the car was on the verge of rolling. The crash left both men seriously injured – Flintoff with facial and rib injuries, while Rees alleges an acute exacerbation of his pre-existing lower back pain.
BBC Studios has vehemently denied negligence in its response to the lawsuit, suggesting that Rees did not complain of any injuries immediately after the crash. The broadcaster's defence also claims that Rees gave faulty instructions to Flintoff, who had earlier expressed concerns about the vehicle's stability. The accident forced a temporary suspension of production on Top Gear and left both men dealing with the physical and psychological fallout.
Rees's legal team argues that BBC Studios was negligent in not warning them of the risks associated with drifting the three-wheeled car, particularly its tendency to roll over. As a result, Rees claims his life has been severely impacted – he's struggled to maintain his exercise regime and has had to abandon a ski holiday due to debilitating pain.
Flintoff has previously spoken out about the severity of his injuries, describing how he felt 'dead' in the aftermath of the crash. He's since required six months of rehabilitation and says he's only returned to public life for medical appointments. BBC Studios has released a statement saying they dispute Rees's claim and are defending it in court.