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9th December 2024
10:22am GMT
Michail Antonio's first words following his horror car crash have been revealed.
The West Ham striker was airlifted to hospital after he was involved in a serious car crash on Saturday (December 7).
The accident was confirmed by West Ham in a statement released by the club on X.
The club initially said: "West Ham United can confirm striker Michail Antonio has today been involved in a road traffic accident. The thoughts and prayers of everyone at the Club are with Michail, his family and friends at this time. The Club will issue an update in due course."
Samuel Woods, 34, a carer from Regent’s Park, noticed the West Ham star’s crashed vehicle while driving home from walking his dog.
After approaching the car, Woods explained: “I said to him ‘hello’ to see if anyone was alive. I heard sirens and told him that help was on its way. He was so disorientated. He said, ‘Where am I? What’s going on? What car am I in?’"
He added: “The paramedics got there really fast. I couldn’t believe what happened. The car smelt of petrol. I looked at him and thought, ‘He’s in big trouble’.
"I just said, ‘You’ve had an accident’. He didn’t reply. He was looking around trying to make sense of what I just said. He was sitting in the passenger side.”
In a new statement, shared last night, West Ham wrote: "West Ham United can confirm Michail Antonio has undergone surgery on a lower limb fracture following a road traffic accident on Saturday afternoon. Michail will continue to be monitored in hospital over the coming days.
"Everyone at the Club wishes Michail a speedy recovery and wishes to express its sincere gratitude to the football family at large for the overwhelming support shown since yesterday’s news, as well as extending a heartfelt thank you to the emergency services and first responders who attended to Michail in the immediate aftermath of the incident, and the medical team who continue to aid him in his recovery.
"The Club will provide further updates when appropriate."
The Jamaican striker featured in West Ham's 3-1 loss to Leicester City on Tuesday after coming off the bench.
The forward is a popular figure around the East London club, notably being West Ham's all time leading goal scorer in the Premier League.
He has scored 83 goals and assisted 41 in 323 games for the Irons.
