A passenger involved in the December 2022 Top Gear crash at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome is suing BBC Studios. Court documents reveal that the vehicle rolled over after the driver was instructed to apply full power during a test drive, raising questions about safety protocols and the circumstances surrounding the accident.
The Incident at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome
The incident occurred on 13 December 2022 at the Top Gear test track located at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey. Court filings have provided fresh insight into the moments leading up to the crash, which involved a Morgan sports car. Internal microphones within the vehicle captured the interactions between the driver and the passenger, a detail now central to the legal proceedings.
According to the defense filings submitted by BBC Studios, the driver had expressed initial concern when a front wheel lifted while navigating a corner. However, the passenger, identified in records as Rees, reportedly reassured the driver that the vehicle was stable and could not roll over. The situation escalated when the car approached the same corner a second time.
“Now turn right… now full power, full power.”
Rees, passenger, via BBC
The BBC Studios defense document claims that a front wheel lifted and because on the claimant’s instruction the presenter continued to apply power the Morgan turned over
. This account suggests that the sequence of events was directly linked to the specific commands given by the passenger during the high-speed maneuver.
Legal Claims and Post-Accident Statements
The lawsuit against BBC Studios marks a significant development in the aftermath of the crash. While legal details regarding the specific nature of the claims are emerging, the defense has pointed to the immediate period following the accident to challenge the basis of the litigation. The court documents state: At no time in the period after the accident did the claimant suggest that he had suffered any injury in the accident.
This assertion by the defense may prove pivotal as the case proceeds. By highlighting that no injury was reported by the claimant at the time of the incident, the broadcaster is establishing a clear line of defense regarding the validity of the current legal action. As reported by BBC, these documents offer the most detailed public record to date of the internal communications and the subsequent reaction from those involved.
Financial Stakes and Procedural Context
Observers of the case are now looking to see how the court handles the transcript evidence from the car’s microphones. The primary question remains whether the passenger’s instructions constitute a liability for the production company or if the responsibility rests with the driver who executed the maneuver.
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