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Premier League player Michail Antonio was rescued from the wreckage of his £260,000 Ferrari yesterday after suffering a serious car crash.
The West Ham United striker was airlifted to a hospital following nearly an hour of emergency services efforts to free him from the damaged vehicle.
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Antonio is believed to be in serious condition after crashing into trees in Theydon Bois, Essex.
Distressing images show his £260,000 Ferrari FF smashed against trees after going off the road at 12:50 PM.
Firefighters were alerted by motorists passing by and worked to rescue the 34-year-old forward by 1:45 PM.
The father of four was later airlifted to a central London hospital.
READ MORE ON MICHAIL ANTONIO
His ex-wife Debbie traveled from her home in Manchester to be with him.
A source informed The Sun on Sunday: “He is in serious condition.
“He is conscious and able to communicate, but everyone at the club is very worried. We are all just hoping he pulls through.”
Witnesses reported seeing grey smoke rising from the car after the incident near the home of West Ham owner David Sullivan.
One witness recounted: “There were other cars stopped and individuals were calling emergency services on their phones.
“The weather was dreadful; it was raining, windy, and the roads were very slippery. It didn’t seem like another vehicle was involved; it appeared he lost control.”
West Ham star Michail Antonio involved in dire car accident
“I only realized who he was later on. I sincerely hope he’s okay.”
Another driver passing the crash site noted: “The right wing had been torn off, along with the front wheel and driver’s door.
“I could see the firefighters had to cut through parts of the car to get him out.”
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The Essex County Fire and Rescue Service stated: “Emergency services received a call at 1:02 PM. Firefighters arrived and reported a man trapped in his vehicle, managing to extract him by 1:45 PM.
“The individual was then transferred to the care of the Ambulance Service.”
The Ferrari FF held the title of the fastest four-seater car worldwide upon its 2011 release.
It has a top speed of 208 mph and can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.7 seconds.
West Ham United released a statement saying: “We can confirm that Michail Antonio is currently in stable condition following a road traffic incident in Essex.
‘Thoughts and prayers’
“Michail is alert, able to communicate with medical staff, and is being closely monitored at a hospital in central London.
“The thoughts and prayers of everyone at the club are with Michail, his family, and friends.”
“The club will not provide additional comments this evening but will issue an update in due course.”
West Ham’s next Premier League match is against Wolves tomorrow night.
The South London native previously crashed a Lamborghini in 2019.
He began his career at non-league Tooting & Mitcham.
Emergency services were dispatched to the scene, and the driver was transported to the hospital.
Essex Police
He moved to West Ham from Nottingham Forest in 2015 for £7 million and is the club’s all-time leading Premier League scorer with 68 goals from 268 appearances.
Though he was called up three times for the England squad, he did not make an appearance. In 2021, he chose to play for Jamaica, the homeland of his parents.
Antonio is divorced from Debbie, whom he married in 2017, and co-hosts the BBC’s Footballer’s Football podcast with Newcastle’s Callum Wilson.
The Essex Police are investigating and have asked for witnesses and dashcam footage.
The force noted: “We received reports shortly after 12:50 PM on Saturday, December 7, regarding what appears to be a single-vehicle crash involving a Ferrari.
“Emergency services responded, and the driver was taken to the hospital.”
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Previous Christmas crash in Lambo
MICHAIL Antonio was previously involved in another car incident with his £210,000 Lamborghini.
He reported that an icy road was to blame for colliding with a garden wall on Christmas Day 2019 — while dressed as a snowman.
He recalled: “I was going maybe 30, possibly 35, on a 30 mph limit road.
“The car handled turns so well that I thought I could take the corner without any problems, exceptional car.
“But when I turned, it skidded. I panicked and slammed on the brakes.
“That’s the worst thing to do on ice; hitting the brakes accelerates you. It was wild — and there I was in a snowman costume.”
He escaped without injury and played for West Ham the following day in a 2-1 loss against Crystal Palace.
By Len Read
