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Freddie Flintoff has opened up about the aftermath of his near-fatal crash, admitting 'it’s been a lot harder than I thought'.
The cricketer opened up about his accident during a new season of the much-loved Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams On Tour.
The show follows Flintoff, 46, and the boys he'd mentored at cricket in a bid to help them compete in India.
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But in this series, the show also deals with the aftermath of Flintoff's deadly crash.
'I have nightmares, I have flashbacks – it’s been so hard to cope'
Flintoff was involved in the crash while filming Top Gear back in December 2022, at the Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey.
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“I genuinely should not be here after what happened,” he says.
“I don’t want to sit and feel sorry for myself. I don’t want sympathy. I’m struggling with my anxiety, I have nightmares, I have flashbacks – it’s been so hard to cope.
“But I’m thinking if I don’t do something, I’ll never go. I’ve got to get on with it.
"I’ve got to look on the positive side - I’m still here; I’ve got another chance. I’ve got to go at it."
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It's reported that the vehicle Flintoff was driving - a three-wheel Morgan Super 3 car - had flipped while he was driving.
Flintoff suffered facial injuries as well as several broken ribs.
The cricketer went on to reach a financial settlement with the BBC.
The series, which aired on Tuesday (13 August) follows Flintoff in the aftermath of the crash.
'It’s been a lot harder than I thought'
The programme explains that the sport star had to endure a number of operations to his face, explaining: "Apart from hospital appointments, Freddie rarely leaves his house."
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Flintoff then speaks directly to the camera, opening up on the mental toll the accident has had.
"I thought I could just shake it off, I wanted to shake it off and say 'Here I am I’m alright', but that’s not been the case, it’s been a lot harder than I thought.
"As much as I wanted to go out and do things, I’ve just not been able to."
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Flintoff's wife, Rachael, was allegedly told to 'expect the worst' when she saw her husband after the crash.
A source told The Sun: "The injuries were more severe as the car didn't have a roof. It was a freak accident and somehow the car flipped over and the two men were dragged along.
"Freddie and the crew member were both wearing helmets, but it was still a severe accident.
"Everyone on the scene was shocked by how serious it was and they were very worried about the two men strapped in."
The first episode of Freddie Flintoff's Field of Dreams On Tour is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
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Lucy Devine