Paul Rees, the former driver known as The Stig, has revealed that he "nearly died" in a car crash with former cricketer Freddie Flintoff while filming the BBC show "Top Gear" in 2022. Rees, who performed as The Stig from 2019 to 2022, suffered a broken back when the Morgan Super 3 vehicle flipped at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey.
Flintoff sustained serious facial injuries requiring multiple reconstructive surgeries. The crash has led to "Top Gear" being paused. Rees, who was a passenger in the vehicle at the time due to concerns from BBC producers about Flintoff's driving, is now claiming in excess of £100,000 in damages. He stated in an interview that he would have settled for a sincere apology.
Recalling the incident, Rees described a terrifying experience where his vision turned red, which he realized was blood from Flintoff spraying his face. "I remember thinking that if we can get out of this and be in wheelchairs, we're lucky. It was a terrifying thought," Rees said. He expressed that he felt they were close to death due to the lack of protection, contrasting it with the safety features he was accustomed to, such as harnesses and helmets. "I was acutely aware the only thing holding my head off the tarmac was Fred's head," he added.
Rees also indicated that he had previously highlighted safety risks to the BBC, stating, "we were not listened to by the BBC." He recounted telling Flintoff that he should wear a helmet, a suggestion that was reportedly dismissed by crew members.
Following the crash, Rees looked at Flintoff and believed he was dead. His concern grew when a medic present reportedly admitted, "I'm not equipped for this," as an ambulance was allegedly not on site. Both Rees and Flintoff were informed that the nearest ambulance was two hours away after emergency services were called. Rees claims he was not checked for his injuries until hours later, experiencing sharp pain when a medic examined his back.
BBC Studios has vehemently denied any negligence, asserting in their defence that "It was [Rees's] faulty instructions which led to the accident." Their legal filing suggests that Rees reassured Flintoff the car would not roll just before it did, providing instructions on how to handle the vehicle through a corner.
Rees, who is also a presenter, discovered in 2023 that he had broken his back, despite initially being given the all-clear. He alleged that the BBC attempted to attribute blame to him as the "pro driver" and advised him to "find a good lawyer."
It is understood that the BBC's position is that an accident investigation report, which has not been made public, contradicts some of Rees's assertions. A BBC Studios spokesperson stated, "We dispute this claim and are defending it. As it's now before the courts, it would be inappropriate to comment further."
Rees is the fourth individual to be identified as The Stig since the character's debut in 2002. Previous identities revealed include ex-F1 driver Perry McCarthy and ex-Formula 3 driver Ben Collins. Michael Schumacher also served as a one-off Stig in 2006.