Freddie Flintoff seen for the first time since being injured in Top Gear car crash

Freddie Flintoff has been seen for the first time since being injured in a car crash while filming for Top Gear.

Flintoff, 45, sustained facial injuries and broken ribs in the accident at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey last December.

The former England cricket star, 45 was seen leading fielding drills today (8 September) ahead of the national side’s first match against New Zealand at Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens on Friday.

The former all-rounder, who was wearing dark glasses and a bucket hat on the outfield, sported scars on his face and tape on his nose.

The sports star – real name Andrew Flintoff – is close friends with Rob Key, England’s director of cricket, and is doing some unpaid consultancy work with the England team during the one-day international series against New Zealand.

The 130mph crash occurred when the sport star’s open-topped three-wheel Morgan Super 3 flipped and slid along the track.

Following the crash, the former England captain announced he will not be returning to the BBC show.

Top Gear has remained off air since the crash and BBC Studios has commissioned a third party to carry out an independent inquiry.

The programme will not resume production until the BBC sees the results and considers any recommendations.

The Health and Safety Executive found no evidence of serious failings requiring a formal investigation after receiving the results of a BBC Studios investigation into the accident.

A statement from BBC Studios earlier this year said it had “concluded its investigation into the accident at the Top Gear Test Track in Surrey last December, which regrettably injured presenter Freddie Flintoff”.

It continued: “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.

“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 retired from cricket in 2009 following a hugely successful career in which he played 79 Tests and 141 one-day internationals for England.

He went on to launch a career in broadcasting, including featuring on Sky’s ‘A League Of Their Own’ and Top Gear.