Former Everton winger Andros Townsend hit by pitch roller in Thailand

Former Everton winger Andros Townsend escaped serious injury after being hit by a pitch roller before a game in Thailand.

Townsend, now playing for PT Prachuap, was involved in the bizarre incident during the warm-up before his side faced Pattani. According to the Liverpool Echo, the 35-year-old was knocked down by the vehicle and ended up underneath it, prompting immediate concern over his condition.

Fortunately, Townsend avoided serious injury and was still named among the substitutes. Remarkably, he was then able to come on in stoppage time as PT Prachuap completed a 3-0 victory.

Townsend escapes serious injury in Thailand

Reports and footage of the incident quickly attracted attention, not least because Townsend could clearly have been badly hurt. Instead, the former England international recovered sufficiently to remain part of the matchday squad and make a brief appearance before the final whistle.

It was an extraordinary end to an afternoon which could have turned out very differently for the former Everton player.

Townsend joined the Blues on a free transfer in the summer of 2021 after leaving Crystal Palace and made 27 appearances during his first season at Goodison Park. He scored seven goals in all competitions, including a memorable long-range effort against Burnley in a 3-1 Premier League victory.

His first campaign with Everton was brought to an early end by a serious knee injury suffered against Crystal Palace in March 2022. Townsend missed the whole of the following season during a lengthy rehabilitation and eventually left the club when his contract expired in the summer of 2023.

He subsequently returned to the Premier League with Luton Town before continuing his career overseas, eventually making the move to Thailand.

Townsend’s latest appearance will be remembered for rather different reasons. After being knocked down by a pitch roller before kick-off, the fact he was able to get back up, take his place on the bench and eventually get onto the pitch was quite an escape.

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