As a seasoned movie buff with a penchant for behind-the-scenes drama, I can’t help but feel a pang of empathy for Chris Harris. His life experience, filled with the roar of engines and the adrenaline rush of high-speed stunts, has undeniably honed his instincts for danger. When he warned the BBC about the potential fatalities on Top Gear, one can only imagine the weight of that prophecy hanging heavy in the air as an accident unfolded just a few months later.
As a devoted fan, I’m sharing that Chris Harris, ex-host of Top Gear, recently disclosed his concerns regarding Freddie Flintoff‘s accident on the show. Interestingly, he cautioned the BBC earlier about potential accidents like this, stating unequivocally that unless changes were implemented, a tragic incident like someone getting hurt on set was imminent.
In December 2022, a crash occurred which resulted in the 46-year-old professional cricketer sustaining facial and rib injuries. The incident happened while he was driving an open-topped vehicle that overturned and skidded across the track. Subsequently, he was quickly transported to the hospital via helicopter ambulance.
Later on, the BBC disclosed that they were putting Top Gear on hold indefinitely, but hosts Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris will be teaming up again for a brand-new show instead.
On The Joe Rogan Experience, Harris discussed the incident, stating: “He wasn’t wearing a safety helmet. At speeds as low as 25 or 30 mph, not wearing one can result in severe injuries.”
On that particular day, I was the sole speaker alongside Fred. While I wasn’t physically next to him, I was situated quite near him.
I recall the broadcast I once listened to. Back then, I had a radio set up in my small workspace at the testing facility, which allowed me to stay informed about the happenings.
Overhearing someone mention a severe crash nearby, I rushed to the window for a peek. From what I could see, the car seemed to be flipped over. Assuming the worst, I believed the person inside had perished, but then I noticed a slight movement.
“He’s a physical specimen, Fred, he’s a big guy, six foot five, six foot six, strong. And if he wasn’t so strong, he wouldn’t have survived.”
Harris clarified that the three-wheeler vehicle driven by Flintoff was exceptionally challenging to operate, with merely him and another professional driver being the ones who had previously handled it on the production day.
In my critique, I often found myself discussing intricate stunts and challenging driving sequences with Flintoff, given his extensive automotive knowledge. However, due to unusual call times that day, it was the first occasion where we didn’t get to discuss his potential strategies for handling a tricky vehicle.
“He mentioned that it’s tough for him to cope with this situation, and he feels somewhat guilty because he missed the opportunity to have a conversation with him.”
Harris added: “I’d anticipated it. There was a thorough investigation, much introspection, which the BBC excels at.”
However, it’s worth noting that approximately three months prior to the incident, I had expressed my concerns to the BBC. Specifically, I warned them, “If you don’t make some changes, a tragedy is going to happen on this program.”
“I approached them, specifically the BBC, and shared my worries based on what I had observed. As the driver with the most experience on that show by far, I expressed my concern, stating, ‘If we continue, there’s a high risk of a severe injury at the minimum, and potentially a fatal accident at the worst.'”
Harris expressed that there seemed to be a competitive tension between Top Gear and The Grand Tour, pushing for increasingly daring stunts. Unfortunately, he noticed instances over the past year where safety concerns were overlooked, making situations potentially hazardous.
He went on to say, “What’s been tough for me is that no one has ever given credit for my prediction. At first, it was hard for me to cope with that.”
When I realized it, I believed I had made the appropriate decision. Typically, I don’t dwell on such matters, usually going along with things as they come, but I could see this situation unfolding.
Initially, I believed I made the correct decision by approaching the BBC, but it turned out my concerns were not given much weight. Afterward, I conducted further investigation. The dialogue I had with those individuals was eventually recognized, though they subsequently attempted to minimize my input and provided no support whatsoever in return.
They essentially abandoned me, leaving me in a state of decay. I’m still utterly bewildered by the situation. It was unforeseen for me to warn an organization about its impending failure, only to witness that very failure unfold. This is a predicament I never imagined I would be in, and one I hope never to find myself in again.
“It’s strange, and pretty heartbreaking in many ways. I loved that show.”
Last year, during a health and safety review of Top Gear conducted by an independent body, it was found that BBC Studios followed all necessary BBC guidelines and industry standards. However, there were valuable lessons identified from past seasons that must be strictly implemented in the production of future seasons of Top Gear UK.
Flintoff recently made his return to TV in the second season of his cricket show Field of Dreams.
It was made official in October that Flintoff received a settlement from the BBC, according to The Sun, which estimated the value at around £9 million due to him missing out on potential earnings for two years.
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2024-09-06 16:04