Jarrod Bowen paid a touching tribute to West Ham team-mate Michail Antonio after he sustained a broken leg in a car accident on Saturday.
Antonio was airlifted to hospital after crashing his Ferrari in Epping, with terrifying photos of the wrecked vehicle circulating on social media.
The 34-year-old's fellow Hammers players faced a nervous wait for further details on his condition after the club released a statement sending 'thoughts and prayers' to his loved ones.
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Just over an hour later, West Ham confirmed that Antonio was stable and communicating, and on Sunday they revealed that the striker had undergone surgery on a lower limb fracture. Antonio is expected to miss at least the next 12 months due to the injury.
Speaking ahead of West Ham's Premier League clash with Wolves at the London Stadium tonight (Monday), Bowen shed light on the terrifying period between finding out about the crash and learning that Antonio's condition had stabilised.
"It’s been one of those things you never think you’d be involved in," he told Sky Sports.
"Mic has been here longer than I have and everyone loves him. He's a big character around here. Those few hours on Saturday were difficult, when we got the news and then were waiting for more news.
"He’s not just a team-mate, he's a friend of ours and he's been a friend of ours for many years. He's a dad to beautiful children. I want to say thanks for everyone’s support. As captain I've seen all the messages and the support Mic has got.
"Life is bigger than football sometimes and everyone came together. I truly appreciate that and everyone here appreciates that as well. The main thing is now that Mic is well and he’s here to tell the story.
"Saturday was a difficult time but Mic is a warrior and a fighter, he always has been through his career, so I know he will be back stronger from this."
The West Ham players all wore shirts bearing Antonio's name and number on the back during their warm-up. The strips will be signed and auctioned off with the proceeds going to the NHS and Air Ambulances UK.
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West Ham said: "Everyone at the club would like to reiterate their heartfelt thanks to the first responders, emergency services, air ambulance staff and the NHS for the incredible support given to Michail in the wake of the accident."
Manager Julen Lopetegui said to Sky Sports: "It has been very tough for all of us, but much more for him and his family. Fortunately he was a miracle, looking at the pictures of the car.
"There are more important things: the dad, the brother, the son that he is. This is more important about Mic. We are happy because he has overcome the surgery. After, let's see.
"We talked with him today. The most important thing is he was a miracle."
Antonio is closing in on a decade with West Ham after signing from Nottingham Forest in 2015. The veteran forward has hit double figures in the Premier League three times since, notching 83 goals in 323 matches on the whole.
