Wales fan suffered broken back bone in stadium fall as TV star rushed to help
Wales fan suffered broken back bone in stadium fall as TV star rushed to help
The 29-year-old fell from the upper tier of the Stade Roi Baudouin into the lower tier during Monday night's World Cup qualifier
Wales' players acknowledge their fans at the end of the game in Brussels
(Image: AFP or licensors )
A football fan has issued an update from hospital after falling from the stands while watching Wales' World Cup qualifier against Belgium on Monday night.
Welsh supporter Scott Rees fell from the upper tier of the Stade Roi Baudouin into the lower tier while celebrating a goal for Craig Bellamy's side during the 4-3 defeat in Brussels and was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital. Remarkably, the 29-year-old has now reassured fellow fans that he is "fine", although he has also revealed he broke a small bone in his back in the fall.
In a post on a Wales football fans group page on Facebook, Mr Rees shared a photo of himself doing a thumbs up alongside two fellow Welsh fans and wrote: "I'm fine.
"I fell from the top tier and only broken a small bone in my back. Hope everyone had a good night."
He later added: "Really appreciate all the messages, had lots of people checking in on me. I'm battered and bruised but thankfully I'll live to tell the tale with no long term damage."
Mr Rees was later seen at Brussels airport in a wheelchair as fans made their way home.
Article continues below
Reports emerged late in the second half of Monday night's match that a fan had fallen from the top tier of the stadium, with some of the 4,500 Welsh supporters in attendance said to be in tears as the concerning scenes unfolded.
Content cannot be displayed without consent
Wales fan Ian Hamer told BBC Radio Wales that he had heard a "loud thud" and "huge commotion" shortly after Wales scored their third goal, with Brennan Johnson drawing the teams level at 3-3 having been 3-0 down after 27 minutes.
"Police, stewards, paramedics rushed into that area [the lower tier] and three, four rows were cordoned off," said Mr Hamer.
"Word got around quickly that a Wales fan had fallen from the front of the top tier into the lower tier of the stadium and had landed, had sort of clipped some fans as he fell.
"The next sort of 15 minutes the paramedics were treating the man and eventually they took him out on a stretcher and brought an ambulance to the back of the concourse, blue lights flashing from where he was taken to hospital after the game.
"Everyone's relieved to know that the man who fell is OK."
Comedian and broadcaster Elis James is believed to have been one of the first responders to the incident and he has been hailed as a 'Red Wall legend' on social media for how he and several other fans in the lower tier helped Mr Rees.
One post said James was among a group of fans who rushed to get help from stewards and emergency services at the stadium, with supporters working with stewards and FAW liason staff to clear the area as paramedics helped the 29-year-old before moving him out of the stands on a stretcher.
Welsh comedian, broadcaster, actor and football fan Elis James
(Image: Adrian White )
A statement from the FAW on Monday night read: "We can confirm that one male fan fell from the upper to lower tier during the match at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels this evening.
"He was conscious and speaking and has now been taken to hospital for further checks."
Article continues below
The match saw Bellamy's men come close to pulling off an incredible comeback result as goals from Harry Wilson, Sorba Thomas and Johnson put them level with Belgium - who looked home and dry with a 3-0 lead after less than half an hour - with just 20 minutes left of the contest.
However, it was to be heartbreak in the end as an 88th-minute strike from Manchester City star Kevin de Bruyne saw the men in red head home from Brussels empty handed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
15 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Who won Race Across the World today? BBC final recap
See which of the four teams managed to win Race Across the World series 5 🏃♂️ Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Race Across the World has crowned the winners for series 5. The winning pair walks away with the grand prize after the final leg. But which team made it to the last checkpoint first? The fifth winners of Race Across the World have been crowned after a rollercoaster final on the BBC. The remaining teams faced one last dash to reach the last checkpoint on a truly mammoth journey. After eight weeks - and around 14,000km - four pairs successfully completed the journey from the Great Wall of China to Kanyakumari in India. It is an incredible journey that has taken them across two of the most populous countries in the world - via Nepal. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad However, all good things must come to an end, as they say. The final of Race Across the World's fifth series took place tonight (June 11) and just over seven hours separated the top three teams heading into the last leg. But which of the pairs managed to run out as victors at the end of the race? Here's all you need to know: Who won Race Across the World series 5? Race Across the World series 5 finalists | BBC Heading into the final leg of the mammoth race from China to the bottom of India, mother and son duo Caroline and Tom were in the lead. They reclaimed the top spot at the end of last week's seventh leg - as then-leaders Brian and Melvyn saw themselves tumble to the bottom of the leader board after opting for the rural route and avoiding Mumbai and falling 17 hours behind. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Caroline and Tom had a nearly seven hour lead over sisters Elizabeth and Letita. Young Welsh couple Fin and Sioned were ever so slightly further behind at seven hours and 48 minutes - having clawed back from a 33 hour deficit earlier in the season. It set things up for a dramatic final dash across the southern states of India. But who made it to Kanyakumari first? Caroline and Tom were the first to reach the last checkpoint and thus were crowned winners of Race Across the World series five. What does the winner of Race Across the World get? The winning couple walk away with a £20,000 jackpot - as well as bragging rights of course. It has been the same prize since the show began back in 2019. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Fortunately for fans, the show is not completely over as there is still one episode left in the season. Race Across the World will be back next week (June 18) with a reunion special that will reunite the five teams six months after the end of the race. It promises unseen footage, behind-the-scenes insights and plenty more. Find out how to watch it here. Have you got a story you want to share with our readers? You can now send it to us online via YourWorld at . It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers.
Belfast Telegraph
an hour ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Northern Ireland's ‘togetherness' helped us see off Iceland, hails Crystal Palace star
Leading by Isaac Price's first half goal, the Windsor Park friendly took a more challenging turn for the home side when Brodie Spencer was sent off in the 57th minute. Michael O'Neill's young guns had a fight on their hands to maintain their excellent recent home record, but battle they did to secure a morale boosting triumph in their last match before September's World Cup qualifiers in Luxembourg and Germany – with Devenny insisting the Green and White Army played an important role. 'As soon as Brodie went off it was like we got our 11th man with the crowd. I thought they were amazing,' said the FA Cup winner. 'You can look at it however you want, but it was a friendly game and it sold out and that speaks volumes about the atmosphere and the crowd. 'On the pitch I thought everyone dug deep for each other. We showed that togetherness as a squad. We went down to 10 men but it didn't stop us working hard and doing the basics right. 'I think good teams win when they're up against it or when they've got a man sent off. We stuck together, which I think is key to this group. Everyone's there for each other and going above and beyond for each other. It's great to have that within a squad and I think that's what brings us up to that next level. 'On the park everyone's there talking to each other, making sure everyone's doing their jobs. That starts from Pierce (Charles) in goal all the way up to the striker. Everyone's good at that. 'It might not have been the prettiest game, but we got the result which we wanted. We'll look to improve the quality in the next one. 'The win gives us momentum going into the big games. We've got the qualifiers coming up and we're all focused on that now. 'You want to play at as high a level as possible. It's almost like you want to play in the Premier League and then you play in the Premier League and it's like, 'What's the next step?' It's just kind of always looking up. You could say the same for the World Cup. Again, it's what you dream of as a kid so yeah, I'm looking forward to it.' Quizzed on Spencer's emotions after his red card, Devenny said: 'He's just got to pick his head up. I think for him it'll probably be a bit of a learning experience. He's a good lad and he'll work hard.' On starting the last two internationals in an unfamiliar left wing back type role, Devenny added: 'It's probably not what I'm used to but I've enjoyed the two games that I've played there. I thought I did okay. "Maybe it wasn't my best game against Iceland but I think it's good balance for the team because Brodie had been playing there before on the right foot and just having a left foot there, I think that's what Michael wanted for the balance of the team and just being able to then open up on the left.'
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
FIFA World Cup to be guarded by ICE and DHS agents as fans are warned to expect ‘suited and booted' security
All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we may earn affiliate revenue. PLAY BY THE RULES FIFA World Cup to be guarded by ICE and DHS agents as fans are warned to expect 'suited and booted' security Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FIFA Club World Cup will be guarded by 'suited and booted' ICE and DHS agents, officials have warned. The mammoth event's opening ceremony takes place at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 ICE and CBP agents will be present at Club World Cup games Credit: AFP 4 The curtain-raiser between Al Ahly FC and Inter Miami CF will take place on Saturday at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Credit: Getty 4 The winning side will earn up to $125 million Credit: Getty The countdown is officially on until the FIFA Club World Cup kicks off, with a curtain-raiser between Inter Miami and a team from Egypt, Al Ahly. The Department of Homeland Security has revealed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel will provide security at the game. On its Facebook account, CBP posted last week: 'Let the games begin. "The first #FIFAClubWorldCup games start on June 14th in Miami, FL at the Hard Rock Stadium. "CBP will be suited and booted and ready to provide security for the first round of games. #CBPxFIFA #FootballUnitesTheWorld.' The post has since been deleted. However, NBC said the post had prompted questions about whether the presence of federal agents was "just part of the overall security team, which is normal for a big event?" This follows demonstrations nationwide, including Dallas and Austin in Texas, and Chicago and New York, after federal immigration raids arrested dozens of workers in Los Angeles. It also comes as Donald Trump continues his huge immigration crackdown and travel ban. And Vice President JD Vance last month warned World Cup travellers not to overstay their welcome. The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will see the World's best players decide which club is the greatest The broadcaster said it was not clear whether the agents will also be checking papers and detaining fans arriving for the game. FIFA today held a press conference to publicise the Club World Cup - the winning side of which will earn up to $125 million. NBC noted, "It's obvious that Fifa would rather focus on the games instead of outside issues." FIFA president Gianni Infantino urged fans to buy tickets despite concerns about the presence of federal agents. He told fans, 'Be part of history, football is such an important sport all over the world. we'll have billions of people watching this from home who would love to come and attend.' BOOSTING SECURITY Infantino was asked whether he had any concerns about ICE and border officials being present at the games. He replied, 'No I don't have any concerns on anything in the sense that we are very attentive on any security questions. "Most important for us is to guarantee security for our fans who will come to the games, this is our priority.' The station stressed that it is normal for local police to partner with federal counterparts and law enforcement agents to provide security at big events. The broadcaster said it had spoken to ICE agents - who had confirmed its officials will be at the games - to provide security. NBC - citing ICE advice - told viewers intending on attending games that all non-American citizens need to carry proof of their legal status. This is particularly vital after the debacle last year, when 7,000 unticketed supporters broke into the Copa America final. Some fans climbed over fences, while others were incredibly seen trying to enter via a ventilation system at the Hard Rock Stadium. More on the Club World Cup 2025 The Club World Cup 2025 will begin on Sunday, June 15, in the UK and Saturday, June 14, in the US. The tournament will run until Sunday, July 13. It is being held across 12 different cities and stadiums in the United States. The whole tournament will be broadcast by DAZN in the UK and US. Matches can be watched on DAZN TV or via the website/app. In the UK, Channel 5 will also air select games on terrestrial TV. But, Thomas Kennedy of the Florida Immigrant Coalition said the federal agents' now-deleted social media warning had caused confusion. He said, 'The messaging that CBP is using is a bit cryptic. "It's sort of alluding that people should have their paperwork in order to attend the games. 'It creates an environment where people are less likely to come watch the games because of just sheer intimidation.' When asked about the security arrangement, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said, 'We're here to make sure people are safe, that's our focus, to work with all of the law enforcement personnel, our safety personnel, and make sure they have a seamless experience."
