Paul Rees, the racing driver who was a passenger in Freddie Flintoff's serious car crash during filming of Top Gear in 2022, is suing BBC Studios for personal injury. Court documents seen by the BBC reveal Rees is seeking up to £150,000 in damages. The accident occurred at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey on December 13, 2022, when Flintoff's open-topped Morgan Super 3 overturned, causing severe injuries to the former cricketer.
Rees' role and the BBC's defence
Rees, 41, was the professional driver tasked with training and advising Flintoff on how to safely control the Morgan on the day of the accident. He was sitting in the passenger seat. BBC Studios claims in its legal response that Rees gave 'faulty instructions' that led to the crash, and denies it was negligent 'as alleged or at all'. The organisation also states that Rees' account of the crash contradicts the independent accident investigation report.
According to BBC Studios' defence filings, Flintoff expressed concern before the crash after the car's front wheel lifted as he took a corner. Rees allegedly reassured Flintoff that the car could not roll over. The documents claim Rees instructed Flintoff: 'Now turn right… now full power, full power' as they approached the same corner again, and 'because on the claimant's instruction the presenter continued to apply power the Morgan turned over.'
Aftermath and compensation
Flintoff suffered serious injuries, including facial fractures and broken ribs, and later revealed he rarely left his house. He reached a seven-figure compensation settlement with the BBC in 2023, and the broadcaster confirmed in November 2023 that Top Gear would not return 'for the foreseeable future'. In April 2025, Flintoff released a tell-all documentary about the crash, stating he 'didn't know if he could carry on'.
BBC Studios said in a statement: 'We dispute this claim and are defending it. As it's now before the courts, it would be inappropriate to comment further.' Metro has reached out to Paul Rees for comment. The claim form was filed in December 2025, and the BBC denies Rees' demands for compensation, noting it provided comprehensive medical and welfare support to him after the accident.
Legal proceedings
The case is now before the courts, with BBC Studios arguing that at no time after the accident did Rees suggest he had suffered any injury. The full details of Rees' claim have not been seen by BBC News, but court documents provide new information about the alleged events leading up to the crash.
