Michail Antonio has revealed he nearly died after speaking for the first time about his life-threatening car crash. The West Ham footballer admitted he is fortunate to be alive following the terrifying one-car accident on December 7 in Theydon Bois, Essex, where he broke his leg and totalled his Ferrari. « I almost died but I was embarrassed about the crash and how bad it was, » Antonio, who spent three weeks recovering in hospital, told BBC Morning Live. « The police came and when they found me I was in between the two seats. I wasn’t actually in the driver’s seat. They said it looked like I was trying to climb out of the window, but because my leg was so badly broken the pain probably stopped me from being able to get out. »
Antonio revealed he « doesn’t remember much » from the incident having suffered short-term memory loss: « It’s weird, because the whole way through this, I have been told that I was awake and was speaking to everybody – the police, the people, and the person who found me, » he added. « My leg was completely shattered and they got me out and put a splint on it by the side of the car. Everyone believed I got an air ambulance out, but the helicopter couldn’t get off the ground because of the storm, so I was driven to the hospital. »
The Hammers star was trapped in the wreckage for nearly an hour and had to be cut free by firefighters arriving on the scene. His ex-wife Debbie travelled down from Manchester to be with the forward at his bedside in hospital after hearing that he had been involved in a road traffic accident.
Days after undergoing surgery to repair the damage to his broken limb, Antonio posted images to social media of him standing with crutches in hospital. The sheer damage sustained, including shattering his femur bone, meant he needed keyhole surgery where a hole was put through his thigh and secured with four bolts. He is now walking again after three months of bed-rest and Antonio confirmed it will be between « six and 12 months » before his leg heals properly.
Three weeks ago, Antonio visited the remains of his totalled £260,000 Ferrari at a scrapyard and the veteran striker admitted it was tough to see how he had cheated death: « It gave me a weird feeling in my stomach. It just made me realise how close I was to dying, » he said. « I had seen the pictures but it was 10 times worse in person. The car was an absolute mess. It was difficult for me. »
The 34-year-old has been ruled out of action since the accident occurred in December. There were fears that the Hammers’ record Premier League goalscorer would never be able to return to football as he faced a year on the sidelines. However, the Jamaica international has been working tirelessly away from the pitch to return his body to optimal condition and may return sooner than first thought.
« I’m 100 per cent I’ll be back on the pitch, » Antonio told BBC Morning Live. « This is what I’m focused on. This is why I’m in six days a week. Mentally, I believe so too, because I never give up. I’m always focused, I always push myself. This is just another setback and this is not going to stop me. »
Antonio received a hero’s welcome on his return to the London Stadium earlier this year, some three months after a car crash nearly ended his career. He fought back tears as he was paraded in front of the supporters five minutes before the clash with Newcastle kicked off in east London, earning a warm ovation from the crowd.
Addressing his potential return, West Ham boss Graham Potter urged for caution in estimating a time for the veteran forward’s return to action: « I think it’s too early to say [if he will play this season]. I wouldn’t like to put that deadline up and put pressure on him, » Potter said after the 1-1 draw with Everton.
« It’s great that he’s here, it’s great that he’s making the progress he is and we need to carry on supporting him. It’s day-by-day, week-by-week and then we’ll see. He’s tentatively out on the grass, but not so much. He’s on the [anti-gravity treadmill] which helps in non-weight bearing work. It’s baby steps.
« It’s day by day, week by week, and then we will see. It’s great that he is making the progress he is. He is very determined as you would imagine, and trying his best. But at the same time you have understand what he has been through, where the start point was.
Morning Live is made by BBC Studios Entertainment Productions. Watch weekdays from 9.30am on BBC One.
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