Ex-West Ham, Celtic, St Mirren player Frank McAvennie cheats death in what was a ‘terrifying’ crash after a car ploughs into him.
He recently appeared on the Let Me Be Frank Podcast, and spoke about the incident, which saw the former footballer rushed to hospital on the 4th of August.
McAvennie, 64, was struck by another driver who he claims had fallen asleep at the wheel, and left his VW Touareg a write-off.
It was down to his quick “reflexes” in trying to steer away from the other vehicle that saw Frank make it out alive, but still left in pain after suffering from whiplash.
Celtic legend’s escape from horror car crash
Watch the full podcast here: https://t.co/lyXeafrp4X#frankmcavennie #letmebefrank #lmbfpodcast #AlanRough #celtic #WestHam pic.twitter.com/gMecE4rl98
— Let Me Be Frank Podcast (@LMBFPodcast) August 22, 2024
He joined co-host Simon Houston and guest, ex-Scotland goalkeeper Alan Rough, who spoke about his experience of being in an 6.8 magnitude earthquake in Morocco.
This was the deadliest earthquake the country has seen in over 60 years, and claiming the lives of over 2,000 people.
Rough said he’ll “never forget” it, how he heard chairs moving, then the room started shaking, before it suddenly stopped and he saw the devastation it left behind.
Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland’s Drivetime programme, Alan Rough said: “The moment it happened was most frightening moment of my life, and that was with us 30 miles away from the quake itself.”The whole room was visibly shaking, everything flying off the counter.
“It was just a horrendous experience you didn’t know if the building was going to fall down on top of you.
“You didn’t know where to go, you didn’t know whether to run left, you didn’t know whether to go right.
“It happened in a minute, but the minute seemed like eternity.”
This then led to the co-host asking Frank is he had any gone through anything similar.
Speaking on his podcast, he replied: “It was a bad car crash… It was terrifying actually. I was horrified. That could have been the end of me.
“I really feel quite lucky to be alive. It could have been so much worse and actually doesn’t bear thinking about. When you see the damage done in the pictures it gives you an idea of how bad it could have been. I was left a bit battered and bruised but was very lucky to be able to walk away.”
This crash happened as Frank had been driving to play a round of golf with his friend John Hartson at West Linton in the Scottish Borders.
Reliving the ordeal, McAvennie goes on: “One moment I’m driving along looking forward to playing with big John and the next thing this other car is coming towards me. It was really quite frightening.”
He suffered whiplash injuries, with his car being written off due to the extensive damage. He’s thankfully expected to make a full recovery.
He said: “It goes without saying I wasn’t able to play golf – in fact I haven’t been able to play since it happened because I’m in a bit of pain. But the car definitely saved me – there’s no question of that. It’s a sturdy motor and I’m glad of that.”
Explaining what happened, McAvennie said: “It was a quarter to eight in the morning. The guy actually fell asleep. He came driving across and luckily with my reflexes I swerved. But he’s hit the front, right down the car. It could have taken me out but it didn’t. It was a good car, a strong car. It’s good that cars are built like that.
“So I just think the big man has got other plans for me, I think, and youse are not getting out that easy.
“I’m alright. I’ve got it all. I had to go to hospital but I’m just getting on with it. I’ve not played golf for a while so I must be bad. The doctor said and my missus said my reflexes saved me. That’s what the surgeon said.”
You can watch the full podcast episode in the YouTube video below…
Frank McAvennie’s career:
Youth
1979–1980 – Johnstone Burgh
Senior
1980–1985 – St Mirren – 135 games (48 goals)
1985–1987 – West Ham United – 85 games (33 goals)
1987–1989 – Celtic – 55 games (27 goals)
1989–1992 – West Ham United – 68 games (16 goals)
1992 – Aston Villa – 3 games (0 goals)
1992 – Cliftonville
1992 – South China
1992–1994 – Celtic – 30 games (10 goals)
1994 → Swindon Town (loan) – 7 games (0 goals)
1994 – Falkirk – 3 games (2 goals)
1994–1995 – St Mirren – 7 games (0 goals)
Total – 393+ games (136+ goals)
International career
1982–1987 – Scotland U21 – 4 games (1 goal)
1985–1988 – Scotland – 5 games (1 goal)
1987 – Scotland B – 1 game (0 goals)
Honours
Player
St Mirren
Renfrewshire Cup: 1984–85
Celtic
Scottish Premier Division: 1987–88
Scottish Cup: 1987–88
West Ham United
Football League Second Division runner-up: 1990–91
Individual
PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year: 1981–82
Hammer of the Year: 1985–86 (2nd)
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