Who is Jahrad Haq? The surgeon who saved Andrew Flintoff’s face

The surgeon who saved former England cricket star Andrew Flintoff’s face after a near-fatal car crash has compared the operation to solving a “jigsaw puzzle with missing pieces.”

Mr. Jahrad Haq, a face and jaw surgeon, spent five hours rebuilding Flintoff’s face following a crash during filming for Top Gear in December 2022.

Flintoff, 47, was driving a three-wheeled Morgan Super 3 car at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey when it flipped. He was dragged face-down across the runway for 50 meters, leaving severe injuries. The cricketer later admitted he wished he had died instantly, fearing he would lose his face.

In a new Disney+ documentary titled Flintoff, the surgeon and Flintoff share shocking details of the crash and recovery. Mr. Haq, who works at St George’s Hospital in London, called it one of the worst cases he had seen in 20 years.

Flintoff’s injuries included broken teeth, a fractured upper jaw, and deep cuts filled with dirt from the runway. “His upper lip skin and muscle were gone. Even the lower lip was damaged,” said Mr. Haq. “These weren’t clean wounds. It was like putting a face back together without all the pieces.”

The documentary shows graphic images of Flintoff covered in blood after the crash and post-surgery, with stitches covering his nose, lips, and cheeks. His eyes were swollen and black.

Mr. Haq, who has worked in top hospitals worldwide, explained the challenges: “Usually, all the puzzle pieces are there. For Andrew, they weren’t. We had to rebuild what was lost.”

Flintoff’s wife, Rachael, recalled seeing him in the hospital: “His eyes were full of fear. I lied and said, ‘You look amazing,’ to calm him.” She warned their children to stay strong: “Your dad looks different now, but it’ll get better.”

For seven months, Flintoff stayed home, only leaving for medical visits. He struggled mentally, hiding from mirrors and cameras.

Despite the trauma, Flintoff made a comeback. With help from friend Rob Key (England Cricket’s director), he began coaching the England Lions team. He also returned to TV with Field of Dreams, a show where he mentors young cricketers in India.

Close friends like Michael Vaughan and James Corden appear in the documentary. Comedian Jack Whitehall praised Flintoff for opening up about his eating disorder, calling it “brave.”

Mr. Haq, a partner at Step by Step Surgery, trains other doctors in complex face surgeries. He has also volunteered in Vietnam, fixing severe facial defects for free. His work on Flintoff highlights his skill in rebuilding lives.

The documentary ends with Flintoff thanking his medical team: “They gave me my face back. Now I’m rebuilding my life.”