West Ham and Jarrod Bowen issue update on Michail Antonio following the horror car crash he was in on the 7th of December.
The 34-year-old Jamaica international had to be released from his car in after being involved in an accident in Epping and was taken to a central London hospital, with surgery done that night.
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said it had attended the scene after receiving calls at 13:02 GMT and had released a man trapped in his car by 13:45.
Essex Police later said officers were investigating a serious crash involving a Ferrari and asked for witnesses to come forward, as well as those with dashcam footage of the incident.
He was airlifted to hospital, suffering a broken leg, and underwent surgery on December 8th to address a lower limb fracture, was in stable condition, conscious, and communicating, while being monitored.
He had been on the way home from the club’s Rush Green training ground.
Well there has been a further update on New Years Eve, with Jarrod Bowen also expressing the sentiments of the team, describing the few hours after the accident as “difficult” and emphasised the support from the football community, highlighting Antonio’s role as both a teammate and a friend.
There are concerns about his long-term prognosis, with some reports suggesting he might be out for at least a year, and there’s even speculation that he might not play football again due to the extent of his injuries.
CLUB STATEMENT:
West Ham United will donate close to £60,000 to the NHS and Air Ambulances UK charities following an auction of match-worn items from their recent Premier League fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The auction, which took place following Michail Antonio’s road traffic accident, will see the proceeds equally split between the NHS and Air Ambulances UK Charity, the national charity supporting the lifesaving work of the UK’s Air Ambulance charities.
The Club auctioned off walk-out tops, signed by every member of the squad, including Michail. Additionally, every match-worn shirt from the win over Wolves was also auctioned, each signed by their respective squad member.
The auction fetched £29,613 which was subsequently matched by the Club’s board, with a final total of £59,226 for two outstanding causes that perform life-saving work all year round.
The highest-performing items saw captain and match-winner Jarrod Bowen’s match-worn shirt raise £3,005, leaving the winner with a collector’s item to treasure. Bowen and Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s warm-up tops, both signed by the entire Hammers squad including Antonio, secured £1,050 each.
All auction winners will be contacted by the Club in the New Year regarding delivery of their item(s).
Bowen said: “It’s been special to see the West Ham family and the wider football community come together in support of Michail over the last month.
“We are all grateful for the care that both the NHS and Air Ambulances UK have given to Michail during a challenging time for him and his family, and for what they continue to do every single day for people around the country.
“Pulling together during difficult times is what being a part of West Ham United is all about and on behalf of the team, I want to thank everyone for helping us to raise an incredible amount of money for two great causes.”
Everyone at the Club would like to reiterate their heartfelt thanks to the first responders, emergency services, air ambulance staff and the NHS for the incredible support given to Michail in the wake of the accident.
Click HERE to find out more about NHS Charities Together, and HERE for more about Air Ambulances UK.
Hours later that statement, Michail Antonio posted one on Instagram: “Every year around this time, I’m asked what I’m grateful for, and every year I’ve struggled to find the right words. But this year, I know exactly what I’m grateful for: being alive.
“I want to take a moment to acknowledge something I’ve come to realise—I’ve spent so many years taking life for granted. I made plans for the next day, the next year, always assuming tomorrow was guaranteed. I’ve seen close friends pass away, witnessed others face near-death experiences, and even then, I didn’t fully grasp just how precious life is.
“What I’ve been through recently has opened my eyes. Life is fragile, and every single moment matters. I’m so grateful to God for giving me the strength to keep going and for allowing me to still be here.
“To the emergency services, the NHS, The Air Ambulance, everyone at the Royal London and Cromwell hospitals and everyone from top to bottom at West Ham United FC. The medical team, The board, all of the staff, my team mates and the amazing West Ham fans… I honestly could not have got through this without you. thank you from the bottom of my heart. To my loved ones who stood by my side throughout everything, I can’t express how much you mean to me.
“Lastly, to the whole football community thank you for all the love and support you’ve shown me. It has truly meant the world. I love you all and I am endlessly grateful for every one of you. ❤️
“Happy new year- and I’ll be back on that pitch soon.”
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