Flintoff Hails NHS Staff After Complex Crash Injuries

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Andrew Flintoff has expressed his gratitude towards the NHS staff who treated him following the life-threatening crash on the Top Gear track in December 2022. The cricket legend was airlifted to St George’s Hospital in Tooting, London, where he received treatment for what one of his doctors called “among the most complex” injuries he had ever encountered.

Flintoff described the harrowing moment of the accident, when he was dragged face-down along the runway for approximately 50 metres beneath a three-wheel car. The traumatic incident left him severely injured, and he was later admitted to believing that he had died during the crash. However, the exceptional care he received at St George’s, where a team of skilled professionals who played a crucial role in his recovery.

In a visit to the hospital where he was treated, Flintoff praised the medical team, calling them “superheroes.” He thanked the staff for their “expertise, love, and compassion,” stating that he had arrived at the hospital at his lowest point but left with a sense of profound gratitude. “I’ll be eternally grateful,” he added, acknowledging the efforts of those who saved his life.

Jahrad Haq, a maxillofacial surgeon, was one of the first to respond to Flintoff’s case. Haq noted that the severity of Flintoff’s injuries became immediately apparent when he was called to assist. 

“This was among the most complex trauma cases I have encountered in over 20 years,” Haq remarked.

During his visit, Flintoff also met with the hospital staff who had cared for him, including lead dental nurse Linda Holden and principal orthodontic nurse Sonia Steer. Trauma and orthopaedic surgeon Shamim Umarji, who was also involved in Flintoff’s treatment, commented that it was 

“wonderful to see Freddie again” and that his visit had boosted the morale of the medical team. 

“He spent a lot of time chatting to everyone, and it meant a lot,” Umarji said.

The accident, which led to Flintoff’s serious injuries, also brought the BBC’s Top Gear programme to an abrupt halt. The future of the show remains uncertain, as the broadcaster has yet to confirm whether it will return following the incident. Flintoff, however, has made it clear that the care he received from the NHS staff played a pivotal role in his recovery, and he continues to express his heartfelt appreciation.