Former England star Flintoff reveals mental battle after car crash

LONDON: Former England star Andrew Flintoff has revealed the extent of the mental health struggles he has endured since his horrific car crash on the set of television programme Top Gear.

In one of his first interviews since sustaining severe facial injuries in the accident in 2022, Flintoff admitted he initially found it hard to return to public life. The 47-year-old ex-England all-rounder said it took him “10 goes to leave my bedroom” due to anxiety on his first morning as an assistant coach with the national team in 2023.

“That day in Cardiff, it took me 10 goes to leave my hotel bedroom. I couldn’t get out of the room,” he told The Times in an interview with former England captain Mike Atherton. “I was so anxious and worried. I eventually went down to breakfast; sat down and chatted with Reece Topley and then Jos Buttler.

“I had to go back to my room to get my baseball mitt and I was waiting for the lift again and heard footsteps. I knew it would be (England captain) Ben Stokes. “I didn’t really know him then. I’ve built a great relationship with him since, but I was anxious about that, standing in the lift with him.

“In the dressing room, Joe Root came over, one of the best men you’ll ever meet, and everyone made me feel so welcome. “Slowly but surely I started to find my feet. And sitting on the balcony and being pictured. Even the press were nice about me. It’s amazing what an accident can do.”

Flintoff was driving a Morgan Super 3 three-wheeled sports car when it overturned and crashed off of the Top Gear test track during filming. The open-topped car is capable of hitting 130mph and the cricketer wasn’t wearing a helmet when it flipped over.

Flintoff suffered severe facial injuries and broken ribs in the crash. “It’s always going to be there, but in a strange way, I’ve got an acceptance of it now. I’m not fighting it,” he said of the physical and mental scars of the accident.

“I still get flashbacks at night and anxiety and other stuff but I know it’s happening and I’m accepting of it.” Flintoff retired as a player in 2010 aged 31 after playing in 79 Tests between 1998 and 2009. Initially invited to help with England Under-19s after the crash, he was appointed as England Lions head coach in September 2024.