Andrew Flintoff’s Near-Fatal Top Gear Crash Injuries Exposed in Disney Documentary: ‘Face Came Off’ Photos

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT

Andrew Flintoff’s harrowing journey of recovery following his near-fatal 2022 Top Gear crash is laid bare in a new Disney+ documentary, Flintoff. Shocking images reveal the extent of his injuries: a tooth exposed through a mangled upper lip, bloodied facial lacerations, and a network of stitches across his cheeks and forehead. The former England cricket star, now 47, endured a five-hour reconstructive surgery after his open-top Morgan Super 3 sports car flipped at 45 mph during filming, leaving him with severe facial trauma, broken ribs, and psychological scars.

[Image: Flintoff post-surgery with facial stitches and swollen eyes]
Caption: Flintoff in the hospital after reconstructive surgery.

The Crash and Immediate Aftermath
Flintoff recalled the terror of the crash: “I thought I was dead. When I lifted my hat, I saw blood and feared my face was gone.” Airlifted to St George’s Hospital, he underwent emergency surgery led by oral surgeon Jahrad Haq, who described the injuries as among the worst he’d seen in 20 years. Flintoff lost parts of his upper and lower lips, suffered broken teeth, and endured deep tissue damage.

Physical and Emotional Toll
The mental impact was equally devastating. Flintoff admitted there were moments he “wished [he] had died” to escape the pain. For months, he avoided mirrors and rarely left home, haunted by his altered appearance. “Your face is your identity. People say looks don’t matter—bollocks!” he said. His youngest son initially recoiled from him, a reaction Flintoff called “heartbreaking.”

[Image: Flintoff with his family pre-accident]
Caption: Flintoff with his wife Rachael and children before the crash.

Family’s Strength
His wife, Rachael, recounted preparing their four children to see him: “I told them not to look shocked—it would crush him.” She described finding Flintoff bandaged and terrified in the hospital, hiding her own fear to reassure him. The documentary captures her resilience, balancing care for their kids with supporting his recovery.

Return to Cricket
Cricket became Flintoff’s lifeline. Encouraged by friend Rob Key, he began coaching England’s team, though his first public appearance at a 2023 match required overcoming severe anxiety. “It took me 10 tries to leave my hotel room,” he admitted. Players like Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler helped him regain confidence, and he now mentors young cricketers, finding purpose again.

[Image: Flintoff coaching England’s team in 2023]
Caption: Flintoff mentoring England’s bowlers during recovery.

Documentary Revelations
The no-holds-barred film includes footage of Flintoff’s surgeries and raw reflections on his trauma. He criticized TV culture for treating stars as “pieces of meat,” chasing stunts for ratings. Top Gear, paused since the crash, paid Flintoff a £9 million settlement. Co-presenters Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris have had limited contact with him, as the accident “dragged up” painful memories.

Legacy of Resilience
Despite lasting scars, Flintoff’s humor and determination shine. “I’m lucky—I still have my family,” Rachael says. The documentary ends on a hopeful note, showcasing his return to cricket and gradual acceptance of his new reality.

[Image: Flintoff at the 2025 documentary premiere]
Caption: Flintoff at the premiere of his documentary, nearly three years post-accident.

Flintoff streams now on Disney+, chronicling a story of survival, family, and redemption.