Michail Antonio: I was ‘close to dying’ after crashing Ferrari into tree

West Ham United's English striker Michail Antonio applauds the fans ahead of the recent home game against Newcastle — Michail Antonio was given a warm reception when he walked on the pitch before West Ham United’s recent home game against Newcastle - AFP/Adrian Dennis

Michail Antonio says he was “close to dying” and has been given “another chance at life” after crashing his Ferrari into a tree during Storm Darragh.

In his first major interview since his “horrendous accident” while driving home from training at the start of December, the West Ham United forward vowed to return to playing following a smash he said left his leg “completely shattered”.

He also told the BBC’s Morning Live programme he remembered “nothing” from immediately before and after the crash in what were “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 had been to see what remained of his car at the scrapyard 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 wreckage of Antonio's car following the accident in Epping Forest on December 7 — The wreckage of Antonio’s car following the accident in Epping Forest on December 7

The father of six went on: “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 said it would be “between six to 12 months before my leg starts healing properly” but added: “I will play again.”

Addressing speculation on social media that the accident may have been drink or drug-related, 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.”

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