Police have ruled out drink and drugs as causes of West Ham star Michail Antonio’s horror crash, sources claim.
Officers are working on the basis that no third party was involved in the moments before the £260,000 Ferrari FF was wrecked in Essex on Saturday.
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Michail’s Ferrari FF crashed into a tree in Theydon Bois, Essex, on SaturdayCredit: Getty
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Michail miraculously survived the horrific accident with only a broken leg Credit: Steve Bell
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He was stuck in the wreckage for almost an hour before being airlifted from the scene Credit: UKNIP
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As a sign of respect for their team-mate, West Ham players wore Michail Antonio shirts ahead of the game against Wolves. Credits: PA
And there was no indication of excessive speed – raising the spirits of Antonio’s miraculous escape could be a freak accident.
A source said: “Drink and drugs have already been ruled out and officers are not looking for anyone else at the moment.
“As far as the officers are concerned at the moment there is no charge – but they need to investigate because the accident was so serious and caused such extensive injuries.
“Just because cops are involved doesn’t mean a crime has been committed.”
Skid marks show Antonio was driving up the hill from Theydon Bois to Waltham Abbey when his motorbike skidded off the road.
The crash happened at 12.50pm on Saturday as the front of Storm Darragh swept across the country – and locals say the route can be dangerous with runoff, in heavy rain.
The wreckage of Antonio’s rare supercar is said to be under high security confinement – instead of the usual complex cars involved in crashes around the M25 in Essex.
Sources said he will be kept there in case investigators need to question him as part of the investigation into the star’s shocking near-miss.
The striker continued to recover from surgery on his broken leg on Tuesday amid fears the fracture could cut short the 34-year-old’s career.
Dog walker Samuel Woods, also 34, said Michail was left seriously dazed when he saw him trapped in the mangled engine.
Big Michail Antonio news as West Ham star undergoes surgery after horror Ferrari crash
Samuel told The Sun: “I said ‘Hello’ to him to see if anyone was alive. He was so disoriented. He said ‘Where am I? What’s going on? What car am I in?’ I couldn’t believe what happened.”
The driver’s side of the powerful car was torn apart when it collided with a tree in Theydon Bois, Essex, on Saturday.
Michail flew across the interior to the passenger side.
Drivers reported seeing smoke coming from the engine.
The star was trapped inside the supercar for nearly an hour in the wreckage before being airlifted from the scene.
He had to be extricated from the 2011 Ferrari FF and was rushed to hospital.
Officers requested surveillance camera footage to understand what led to the accident.
They said that the investigation carried out by the Road Police Unit has opened.
In a heartfelt tribute, Hammers stars wore shirts with Antonio’s name and number ahead of their clash with Wolves at the London Stadium.
Team-mate Jarrod Bowen said: “Mic’s been around longer than me, everybody loves him. He’s a big character here.
“Those few hours on Saturday were difficult. He’s not just a teammate, he’s our friend, he’s been our friend for many years. Dad and to the beautiful children.
“And you see the support, I just want to say thank you for all the support from everyone.”
Michail moved to West Ham from Nottingham Forest for £7m in 2015,
He has since become the Premier League’s top scorer for the East London club, with 68 goals in 268 games.
The sportsman also co-hosts the BBC’s Footballer’s Football podcast alongside Newcastle’s Callum Wilson.
The incredible rise of Michail Antonio
Author: Jon Boon
The outpouring of love from the football community towards Michael Antonio was huge, and the forward was recognized as a great figure in the game.
The Wandsworth-born striker started from humble beginnings – playing for non-league side Tooting & Mitcham United.
After impressing in 2008, he was offered a trial at Reading – some five divisions up – and Alan Pardew duly snapped him up.
However, he later revealed that Tooting had kicked him out after refusing to sign a contract.
Antonio said: “I was kicked out because I refused to sign the contract.
“I said, ‘If someone comes in for me, I don’t want to be tied down. I want to be able to go, not to be appreciated by you.”
After spells at Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest, he was kicked out of the Championship in 2015 in a £7m deal with West Ham.
He’s been there ever since, winning the player of the year award, being named Premier League player of the month twice and lifting the European trophy.
Away from football, Antonio has bravely opened up about his mental health issues of late.
The Jamaica international was recently asked by Gary Lineker on the Rest is Football podcast what he would like to do when he retires from the game.
He revealed: “I want to be in entertainment.
“So, more in a league of its own, Play to the Whistle . . .”
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