Members of the Top Gear team who were working at the time of Freddie Flintoff’s awful collision are alleged to have been signed off work because they were’struggling’ in the aftermath.
Last year, the former cricketer was alleged to have been evacuated to hospital after an accident while filming the BBC show.
Following the incident at the test track at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey in December, the 45-year-old was reportedly forced to wait for over an hour with severe face injuries.
It has been claimed that Flintoff was not wearing a helmet at the time, and the BBC has initiated an investigation into what transpired while the series’ future remains uncertain.
According to a recent report, numerous workers who witnessed the disaster are finding it difficult to return to work.
‘The scenes were awful, something you would truly want to unsee. The idea of returning to do that kind of work again for some people is just too much,’ a source told The Mail on Sunday.
‘It has been a terribly hard time for everyone involved in the crash. Some are still struggling with it so have been signed off work.’
According to Metro.co.uk, BBC Studios would not comment on the welfare of its employees, but have been offering full assistance to the whole production crew since the event.
The BBC recognised Flintoff was’regrettably hurt’ in a statement following the collision.
‘We have sincerely apologised to Freddie and will continue to support him with his recovery. Under the circumstances, we feel it would be inappropriate to resume making series 34 of Top Gear at this time,’ the message read.
‘We understand this will be disappointing for fans, but it is the right thing to do, and we’ll make a judgement about how best to continue later this year.
‘This has also impacted the production team, who we continue to support.’
Flintoff was seen out in public with his wife Rachael Wools Flintoff in April, months after sustaining his injuries.
According to a source, he was’seriously emotionally and physically damaged by the collision’ and may be leaving Top Gear for forever.
‘He is a daredevil, that’s what he does, and he doesn’t feel like he is able to continue to play that role on the show,’ the insider added to The Times.
Top Gear is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
