Townsend run over by pitch roller, escapes injury — SkimNews
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- Andros Townsend was run over by a pitch roller during a warm-up in Pattani, Thailand, with his left leg briefly trapped under the vehicle, though he sustained only bumps and bruises
- Townsend described the moment as 'terrifying,' saying he feared his surgically repaired ankle or knee would snap when the heavy roller crushed his leg
- Townsend credited his ability to lift the roller slightly with his arm and the help of teammates who lifted it off him, allowing him to squeeze free within moments
- Townsend returned to training shortly after the incident and later came off the bench in PT Prachuap’s 3-0 win, downplaying the event with humor on social media
- Townsend noted it was unusual to see pitch rollers so close to players during warm-ups, something he had never observed in his prior career at clubs like Tottenham and Crystal Palace
Why it matters: Townsend avoided catastrophic injury despite being pinned under heavy machinery—a direct physical risk most athletes never face—highlighting gaps in match-day safety protocols at some international venues. His return to play hours later underscores both personal resilience and the normalization of extreme risks in professional sports logistics.
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