Former Newcastle United winger Andros Townsend was run over by a pitch roller during a warm-up before his PT Prachuap side's 3-0 win over Pattani FC in Thai League One. The 35-year-old was attempting an aerial backheel when the vehicle, which had a driver at the helm, struck him and left him pinned beneath it as teammates rushed to his aid, some turning away in horror.
Townsend emerged without serious injury and later came off the bench in stoppage time with the result already secured. He made his third appearance for the club, having started their opening matches against Rayong and Sukhothai earlier in the season. The victory lifted PT Prachuap to second place in the league.
Move to Thailand
Townsend joined PT Prachuap in the summer of 2025 after a spell with Turkish club Antalyaspor. He had previously moved to Thailand's second division with Kanchanaburi Power. Speaking about his decision last year, Townsend said he was drawn to the lifestyle. "Towards the back end of last season, I was playing in Turkey, and I hadn't been paid a few months' salary," he told reporters. His agent had presented options in Europe, but Townsend wanted to go somewhere he considered nice, interesting, and tropical.
Newcastle connection
The former England international, who earned 13 caps, played 13 times for Newcastle United in 2016 after signing from Tottenham Hotspur. He scored four goals during his brief stint at St James' Park before leaving that summer, concerned that playing in the Championship would harm his international prospects. He subsequently played for Crystal Palace and Luton Town.
Video footage of the bizarre incident has circulated on social media, drawing significant attention. Back in England, Newcastle United currently sit ninth in the Premier League with eight points from five games, their recent form reading three wins, one draw and one defeat. Eddie Howe's side face Coventry City away on 12 October in their next fixture, with the full schedule available on our fixtures page. The club's current squad shows a different profile of wide players from Townsend's era, with Anthony Elanga and Jacob Ramsey among those currently sidelined.
The original report is at Chronicle Live
