Michail Antonio has undergone surgery today following his serious car crash on Saturday and West Ham United provided an update on his condition.
A club statement reads: “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 Premier League club confirmed in a statement on Saturday that Antonio had been involved in a road traffic accident and asked for ‘thoughts and prayers’ to be sent to the Jamaica international as he was taken to hospital.
Images on social media purportedly showed extensive damage to the Ferrari he was driving at the time of the accident, with the front of the car completely destroyed.
The 34-year-old was taken to a central London hospital following the single-car collision near Theydon Bois, Essex and will go under the knife on Sunday.
The Hammers later revealed that Antonio was conscious and in a stable condition, although there was no confirmation of the injuries he had suffered.
The statement read: “We can confirm that Michail Antonio is in a stable condition following a road traffic accident in the Essex area.
“Michail is conscious and communicating and is currently under close supervision at a central London hospital.
“The thoughts and prayers of everyone at the club are with Michail, his family and friends. The club will make no further comment this evening but issue a further update in due course.”
Antonio’s ex-wife Debbie – the mother of his four children – has reportedly travelled hundreds of miles from Manchester to be by his side in hospital. A report from The Telegraph claimed he had suffered a broken leg in the collision.
Firefighters were forced to rescue Antonio from the wreckage of his car after he was left trapped in the vehicle for more than 45 minutes.
Eyewitnesses reportedly present around the time of the incident described the scene of the accident, revealing Antonio had to be cut out of the car by emergency services.
One onlooker told The Sun: “There were other cars stopped and people were on their phones calling 999.
“It was awful weather, rain, wind and very slippery on the road. It didn’t look like another car was involved. It looked like it had spun out of control.
“I only found out later who he was. I hope he’s OK.”
Another added: “The right wing [of the car] was ripped off, as well as the right front wheel and driver’s door. I could see firefighters had to cut away parts of the car to get him out.”
As it stands, West Ham’s Premier League fixture against Wolves on Monday is set to go ahead, with Antonio remaining in hospital while he looks to recover from the frightening accident.
