On May 19, 1980, Ringo Starr, the former Beatles drummer, and his wife Barbara Bach were involved in a near-fatal car crash in Surrey, England. The accident occurred during a period when the couple was still relatively early in their relationship, having met just a few months earlier on the set of the film *Caveman*. Despite the severity of the crash, both Ringo and Barbara survived with only minor injuries, a fact they would later describe as miraculous.
The couple had been driving on the narrow country roads of Surrey when Ringo lost control of the car, reportedly due to slick conditions or excessive speed. The vehicle veered off the road and flipped over, landing in a ditch. Emergency services quickly arrived on the scene, and the pair were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and observation. Fortunately, neither suffered life-threatening injuries, though the crash left a deep emotional impact on them both.
In interviews after the incident, Ringo reflected on how close they came to dying that day and considered it a turning point in his life. At the time, both he and Barbara were struggling with substance abuse, and the accident served as a wake-up call. They eventually sought help and later became vocal supporters of sobriety and recovery programs.
The crash, while frightening, seemed to strengthen their bond. Ringo and Barbara married just over a year later, on April 27, 1981, and have remained together ever since—a rarity in the world of celebrity relationships. The Surrey car crash is often cited as a critical moment in their personal journey, both as individuals and as a couple, reminding them of the fragility of life and the importance of making meaningful changes.
