Fulham's captain breaks leg in crash

13 April 2012

Fulham player Chris Coleman has been seriously injuredafter crashing his £50,000 high-powered Jaguar on his way back from a night out.

The 30-year-old Fulham captain and Wales international sustained multiple fractures to his lower right leg after spinning out of control in his Jaguar XJ8 V8, which has a top speed of 155mph.

He underwent emergency surgery in the early hours, but doubts will arise about whether he will ever play again.

Coleman lost control on a bridge in Outwood Lane, near Bletchingley, Surrey, at about 9.15pm.

The car demolished 60 feet of wrought iron fencing, careered off the road, hit two trees and uprooted them before finally coming to rest in a ditch on the edge of a field, leaning against one of the felled trees.

The farmer who owns the field said: "He is extremely lucky to be alive. If he had not been driving a big car, I think he would have been killed."

An eyewitness to the aftermath of the crash said: "Coleman's right foot was trapped by the wreckage and he was crying out in pain as the fire brigade tried to cut him free. It looked very nasty."

A spokesman for Surrey Fire Brigade said: "We had to cut him from the car because it was a mangled wreck. He was in a lot of pain so the paramedics had to sedate him while we worked to free him."

Coleman was taken to the New East Surrey Hospital in Redhill where his wife and mother are at his bedside.

He was said to be in a satisfactory and comfortable condition.

Surrey police said they would interview Coleman about the accident when he was fit.

Police spokeswoman Debbie Bower said: "Coleman was not breathalysed at the scene because he was in such pain." She was unable to say whether a breath or blood test had been taken at the hospital.

Coleman moved to the then-Second Division Fulham from Blackburn Rovers for £2.1 million in 1997. He had previously played for Swansea City and Crystal Palace.

Last night's crash will seriously disrupt what has probably been the most successful period of his career, which began with the arrival of Frenchman Jean Tigana as Fulham manager last summer. Tigana described Coleman, who earns £10,000 a week, as "a model professional".

Since then Fulham have been racing away with the First Division title and are odds-on to be a Premiership side next season.

The injury, which will certainly rule Coleman out for the rest of the current season, could not come at a worse time for the club, who face Manchester United in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday

Fulham managing director Michael Fiddy said: "Everyone at the club is deeply concerned about the incident involving Chris.

"Our thoughts are with Chris and we wish him a speedy and full recovery. He will be given the best possible care to aid his recovery."

It is thought the Jaguar may have been a gift to Coleman from Fulham's owner Mohamed Fayed.

MORE ABOUT

Jaguar (car)

Surgery

Surrey

Wales

Fulham's captain breaks leg in crash

Read More