West Ham United star Michail Antonio met the paramedics who helped save his life following his devastating car crash at the end of last year and expressed his admiration for what they did
Michail Antonio told the paramedics that saved his life they were his heroes after sitting down with the first responders in a touching moment. The West Ham United star crashed his Ferrari FF into a tree in December and was rushed to hospital for surgery after breaking his leg in the incident.
Antonio is yet to return to action for the Irons, and his career could yet be at an end, but the 35-year-old has no recollection of the crash. The Jamaica international spent more than three weeks recovering in hospital after shattering his leg.
Now, Antonio was able to enjoy the opportunity to discover what happened as he met with paramedics Rob Moon and Dr James Moloney on the BBC’s Morning Live show. The forward was able to show his appreciation and have the blanks filled in.
«I want to say thank you because I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you guys,» Antonio said having come face to face with life saving duo in an ambulance hangar. «So you guys are basically my heroes.»
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«For me, personally, I could never do your job,» he added. «If I go there and see blood or people in trouble, I would just panic or faint. It’s definitely something I wouldn’t be able to do.»
On a stormy December day, Antonio was discovered in the back seat of his vehicle, seemingly trying to make his escape. Dr Moloney and Moon were dispatched to the scene in a rapid response car, after the air ambulance had been unable to take off.
They quickly recognised who they were dealing with in Epping Forest, in addition to the fractured femur Antonio suffered. The pair revealed they were able to get the ex-Nottingham Forest and Sheffield Wednesday man talking about football, his managers and career highlights.
Dr Moloney said: «We treat everyone the same whatever happens. But not many people have a shirt with their name on the back.»
Antonio has accepted that while his recovery is going well, it could be some time before he overcomes the trauma. «Being involved in a major accident can have life-changing physical and mental effects,» he said.
«I’ve processed it to a certain degree, but I think the emotions are going to take a long time. Mentally, trauma lasts a long time.»
«My family probably experienced the incident more than I did,» he added. «They had to see how I was in the hospital. I don’t remember my face being cut or going down for surgery the next day.
«They lived it. They have those memories.»
Nevertheless, Antonio has previously insisted he has every intention of making it back to the football pitch. The Premier League veteran even reckons he is ahead of schedule in terms of recovery.
«I’m focused on [returning quickly] and [that’s] why I am working six days a week,» he said. «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.»
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