WEST Ham’s Michail Antonio could be out of action for a year in the best case scenario after a car crash “shattered” his legs.
The footballer, 34, was airlifted to a London hospital for surgery on a broken leg after the horror unfolded in Epping, Essex on Saturday.
Shocking images showed his £260,000 Ferrari FF smashed into trees after leaving the road at 12.50pm.
His first words after the crash were “where am I? What’s going on? What car am I in” in the moments following the horror, The Sun revealed.
Michail was cut free by fire crews nearly an hour later, as his ex-wife Debbie rushed from Manchester to be by his bedside.
It is now understood the dad-of-four’s best case scenario will be a one year recovery time.
He will most likely not be able to play for the rest of this season, as reported by the Guardian.
However, it has not been confirmed whether his injuries will force him to retire from the game.
A West Ham spokesman issued an update on Sunday which read: “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 club on Saturday confirmed the footballer was in a “stable condition” while “conscious and communicating”.
A source told The Sun on Sunday: “He is in a serious condition.
“He is conscious and communicating but everyone at the club is very worried. We are all just praying he gets through this.”
Meanwhile, onlookers reported grey smoke pouring from the car.
One said: “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.”
A motorist who passed the scene added: “The right wing 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.”
A spokesperson for Essex Police said: “Officers investigating a serious collision in Epping are asking for witnesses and dash cam footage.
“We were called shortly after 12.50pm on Saturday 7 December to Coppice Row, Epping, following reports of what is believed to be a single vehicle collision involving a Ferrari.
“Emergency services attended and the driver has been taken to hospital.
“The vehicle has been recovered and we are no longer on scene. An investigation will be carried out by our Roads Policing Unit.
“If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.
“Please quote incident 605 of 7 December when providing any information to make sure it gets to the right person as quickly as possible.
“Alternatively, please email the investigating officer, PS Mark Hewitt.”
An Essex Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson added: “Crews were called to High Road, Epping, at 1.02pm this afternoon after reports of a road traffic collision involving one car.
“On arrival firefighters reported that a man was trapped in his car and worked to release him by 1.45pm.
“The casualty was left in the care of the Ambulance Service.”
Witnesses told how the stricken West Ham ace was in a highly confused state.
The driver’s side was ripped apart and the impact is believed to have sent Michail flying across to the passenger seat.
Samuel Woods, 34, was driving home after walking his dog in Epping Forest when he saw what he thought was a dumped car by the roadside.
He pulled over and rushed to help when he saw a man inside who looked “in big trouble”.
Samuel, a carer from Regent’s Park, told The Sun: “I said to him ‘hello’ to see if anyone was alive.
“I heard sirens and told him that help was on its way.
“He was so disorientated. He said, ‘Where am I? What’s going on? What car am I in?’
“The paramedics got there really fast. I couldn’t believe what happened. The car smelt of petrol.”
Samuel, who does not follow football and did not recognise the star, went on: “I looked at him and thought, ‘He’s in big trouble’.
“I just said, ‘You’ve had an accident’. He didn’t reply. He was looking around trying to make sense of what I just said. He was sitting in the passenger side.”
Michail has been at West Ham United since 2015 and played in a range of positions including right back, right midfielder, and as a winger.
The forward joined the club from Nottingham Forest and was named as the club’s Player of the Year in 2017.
Eventually, he established himself as the club’s main striker and on August 23, 2021 he became West Ham’s top scorer in the Premier League.
Antonio has made 15 appearances this season and scored once.
He is the club’s all-time Premier League top scorer, with 68 goals.
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