Michail Antonio is ‘conscious and communicating’ in hospital after being involved in a car crash on Saturday afternoon.
The 34-year-old is in a stable condition after being taken to hospital in London following the incident in Epping, Essex.
His club West Ham confirmed the news on Saturday evening after earlier putting out a short statement about his initial predicament.
The update was issued after unverified images of a heavily damaged Ferrari began to circulate online.
West Ham’s statements on Michail Antonio
A club statement read: “West Ham United can confirm that Michail Antonio is in a stable condition following a road traffic accident this afternoon in the Essex area.
‘Michail is conscious and communicating and is currently under close supervision at a central London hospital.
‘At this difficult time, we kindly ask everyone to respect the privacy of Michail and his family.
‘The club will make no further comment this evening, but will issue a further update in due course.’
The Hammer initial statement in the day had read: ‘West Ham United can confirm striker Michail Antonio has today been involved in a road traffic accident,’ a West Ham statement read.
‘The thoughts and prayers of everyone at the Club are with Michail, his family and friends at this time.
‘The Club will issue an update in due course.’
Essex Fire Service confirm ‘a man was trapped in his car’
Essex Fire Service also confirmed firefighters had attended the scene and released a man trapped in his car.
A statement read: ‘Crews were called to High Road, Epping, at 1.02pm this afternoon after reports of a road traffic collision involving one car.
‘In 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.’
A further statement from Essex Police added: ‘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.’
Football fraternity unite in their support of Antonio
London-born Antonio, a Jamaica international, is in his 10th season with West Ham after joining the club from Nottingham Forest in 2015. He has scored 83 goals in 323 appearances for the club and helped them win the Europa Conference League in 2023.
Antonio began his footballing journey with non-League Tooting and Mitcham before moving into the professional ranks with Reading. He has also had spells with Cheltenham, Southampton, Colchester and Sheffield Wednesday.
A number of West Ham’s rival clubs have posted well wishes.
A social media post from Arsenal read: ‘Everyone at Arsenal sends their love, support and well wishes to Michail, his family and West Ham United.’
Chelsea said: ‘The thoughts of everyone at Chelsea FC are with Michail and his family.’
A message from Liverpool read: ‘The thoughts and prayers of everyone at LFC are with Michail and his family.’
West Ham were not playing on Saturday but host Wolves at the London Stadium on Monday.
