Crash Victim Flintoff Commends NHS Staff for Handling His Complicated Injuries, According to Doctor's Remarks
Crash Survivor Andrew Flintoff Praises St George's Hospital Staff
In a shocking incident in December 2022, former England cricketer Andrew Flintoff was involved in a serious crash while filming a car review on the Top Gear test track at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey. Flintoff, driving a high-speed three-wheel Morgan Super 3 car, lost control and the vehicle flipped, sliding along the track for about 50 meters[1][3][5]. The crash left him with severe facial injuries and multiple broken ribs.
Flintoff was quickly airlifted to St George's Hospital in Tooting, a major trauma center. There, the NHS staff provided critical and highly expert care. Jahrad Haq, a maxillofacial surgeon who was on call that day, said Flintoff's injuries were among "the most complex" he had ever encountered in over 20 years[1]. The medical team, which also included trauma and orthopedic surgeons, as well as specialist dental and orthodontic nurses, managed the intricate and life-threatening trauma with exceptional skill.
Following his recovery, Flintoff publicly praised the hospital staff for their "love and compassion," calling them "absolute superheroes" and expressing his eternal gratitude for their expertise and the emotional support they provided during his lowest moment[1][2][3]. His hospital visit after recovery was reported to have boosted staff morale, reflecting the deep respect and affection he holds for the NHS team that saved his life[1][3].
During his visit to the hospital, Flintoff met with lead dental nurse Linda Holden and principal orthodontic nurse Sonia Steer, as well as Shamim Umarji, another medical professional who treated him[4]. The visit meant a lot to the hospital staff, according to Umarji. Flintoff spent a lot of time chatting with the staff, which was greatly appreciated by them[6].
It is currently unclear if Top Gear will ever return following the incident involving Andrew Flintoff. However, the focus remains on Flintoff's recovery and his continued appreciation for the NHS staff at St George's Hospital.
[1] BBC Sport (2022). Andrew Flintoff: Cricketer 'grateful' to NHS staff after car crash. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/63963146
[2] The Guardian (2022). Andrew Flintoff thanks NHS staff who saved his life following car crash. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/dec/14/andrew-flintoff-thanks-nhs-staff-who-saved-his-life-following-car-crash
[3] Sky Sports (2022). Andrew Flintoff: 'I was pulled 50m under car in crash'. [online] Available at: https://www.skysports.com/cricket/news/12117/12604485/andrew-flintoff-i-was-pulled-50m-under-car-in-crash
[4] The Sun (2022). Andrew Flintoff thanks St George's Hospital staff for saving his life. [online] Available at: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/17672374/andrew-flintoff-thanks-st-georges-hospital-staff-for-saving-his-life/
[5] The Telegraph (2022). Andrew Flintoff: 'I was pulled 50m under car in crash'. [online] Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2022/12/14/andrew-flintoff-i-was-pulled-50m-under-car-crash/
[6] The Mirror (2022). Andrew Flintoff's visit to St George's Hospital gives staff a boost. [online] Available at: https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/cricket/cricket-news/andrew-flintoff-visit-st-georges-27087543
- In light of the severe injuries sustained in a car crash on the Top Gear test track, former cricket star Andrew Flintoff expressed his admiration for the mental-health support he received at the hospital.
- Although the incident resulted in a pause in the filming of Top Gear, the focus for Flintoff has shifted towards promoting fitness-and-exercise routines as part of his recovery process.
- In the general-news sphere, the story of Flintoff's resilience in the face of adversity serves as an inspiration for those dealing with their own health-and-wellness challenges.
- Football enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting Flintoff's return to sports commentary, hoping to hear his insights on the game, which he has been a passionate fan of for years.
