Premier League star cheated death in horror Ferrari crash

Premier League star Michail Antonio has revealed he was “close to dying” but has been given “another chance at life” after crashing his high-powered Ferrari into a tree. The star had to be cut free from the “horrendous accident” he suffered while driving home from training in last December’s Storm Darragh. But the West Ham United striker has vowed to return to playing despite having his left leg “completely shattered”.

In his first interview since the horror crash the father-of-six told the ’s Morning Live programme he remembered “nothing” from immediately before and after the crash as he navigated “windy, wet and horrific” conditions. He said: “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. My leg was completely shattered and they got me out and put a splint on it by the side of the car. “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.”

Revealing he made a trip to see the wreckage of his sports car at a scrapyard just three weeks ago, he said: “It gave me a weird feeling in my stomach. It just made me realise how close I was to dying. 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 continued: “The most difficult part is that I almost wasn’t there for my children. It’s just made me happy, positive about life, because I’ve got another chance at life. During this, we kept it away from the kids. My eldest saw it, and he struggled with it. He’s 13, and obviously people were showing photos of the car. So he came down and saw me in the hospital. But the younger ones, they never really knew how bad the situation was. We kind of avoided letting them get on the internet.”

Antonio said after undergoing surgery on a femur he “shattered” in four different places, he was told not to put weight on his leg for three months.

He revealed it is likely to be “between six to 12 months” before his leg starts healing properly” but added: “Yes, 100%. I will play again. That’s what I am focused on and why I am working six days a week. I’ve always been positive from this situation. It’s a horrendous accident, and it’s a massive injury

“It’s the biggest injury I’ve ever had in my career. But the fact that I’m already two to three months ahead of where I should be, I know that I’ll play again, and I know that once I’m playing the game I’ll get the sharpness back.”

Cruel social media gossip among internet ghouls following the accident hinted that the crash may have been drink or drug-related, but the star said he wanted to quash that speculation.

He said: “I was travelling back from training and, anyway, I’ve never taken drugs in my life. I’ve said I like a drink. But in this situation, there were no drugs, there was no drink. That’s been ruled out and confirmed by the police.”

The accident was Antonio’s second in a fast car after he crashed his £210,000 Lamborghini Huracan into the bin shed at a family home in Balham, south London, on Christmas Day 2019 while dressed as a snowman.

Revealing he had previously had concerns when driving his Ferrari, he said: “The back of the car kept swinging out on me, so I didn’t feel safe. I had had it for three weeks and I was already thinking about giving it back.

“I’ve always been a fan and friend of sports cars and old classics, but I can’t lie to you, sports cars are not my friends. So right now, I have a Mercedes people carrier and my brother is my driver. For now, anyway, I’m staying far away from sports cars.”

The Jamaica international also thanked West Ham fans, players and staff for their support during the difficult time.

“The love feels good. When I got into football, I did it as a hobby and didn’t support any clubs.

“Now I am definitely a West Ham fan. What the club did for me, the support they gave me on and off the field, the hospitals and the specialists, was unbelievable. I thank the club, the fans, the emergency services, the people around me.”

Antonio previously revealed he would watch West Ham games weekly throughout the early stages of his recovery to motivate him, and said hearing his name being sung by supporters “helped him massively”.

He told West Ham TV: “I remember watching the Wolves game in hospital, and it made me emotional. I loved the support.

“Over the next six to eight weeks, every time I watched a game I could hear the fans singing my name, which is something I really appreciated and that has actually helped me massively.

“The support I’ve had has truly been amazing, from day one. Everyone at the Club has been incredible – they were the ones who called my family to tell them what was going on, and they were the ones who turned up to the hospital straight after the crash.

“Karren Brady came to the hospital to see me, the players came to see me, and [Julen] Lopetegui and his staff.

“I’ve had fans sending me gift packages, and so many messages from supporters, friends and family, so it’s all been a bit overwhelming. It’s been a really emotional time, just from the amount of love I’ve had.”