Ball boy scare
Ball boy leaves pitch in tears after advertising board falls on him during West Ham’s celebrations vs Crystal Palace
Hammers stars quickly stopped their celebrations to help the shaken child
ONE Crystal Palace ball boy miraculously escaped injury after being crushed during West Ham's goal celebrations.
Hammers fans celebrating Tomas Soucek's opener knocked over a heavy electric advertising board which landed on the youngster's head.
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Goalscorer Soucek acted quickly to save the ball boy from any serious harm while Jarrod Bowen, who scored the Hammers' second, quickly reassured him.
Soucek lifted the advertising board up to allow the ball boy to escape before Bowen gave him a hug and other West Ham players checked he was not harmed.
As he was in tears Palace staff led him away from the pitch where medical staff carried out a thorough assessment and found no harm.
Bowen sought out the ball boy after the game for a chat and the England star gifted him his match worn shirt.
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The winger said: "I just managed to grab him out as quick as possible, it was just instinct.
"I've seen him after the game, he's got my top now and is smiling.
"He's all good, which is good to see."
The lad also told the Hammers winger he was looking forward to playing football with his mates the next day.
Reacting on social media, one fan said: "Hope that ball boy is ok."
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A second said: "Ball boy seemed to get caught up as the advertising board fell down in front of the away end for that West Ham goal.
"Jarrod Bowen the first to make sure the young boy was ok - looked a bit shaken up."
Bowen and Soucek's goals secured West Ham their first win of the season following defeat to Aston Villa on the opening weekend.
The Hammers face Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup this week before champions Manchester City visit the London Stadium.
Meanwhile, it was a second defeat on the spin for the Eagles after their own narrow defeat to Brentford last week.
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