ARGENTINA’S World Cup winners were evacuated by HELICOPTER as a victory parade was abandoned when fans leapt off a bridge onto the team bus.
At least one supporter in the massive crowd was carried away on a stretcher as Lionel Messi and Co were escorted away overhead.
Fans clambered down from a bridge in Buenos Aires onto the vehicle when it passed underneath but one MISSED it as he plunged head first onto the side of the bus.
Chaotic scenes suddenly became distressing ones.
But, incredibly, it’s understood he was able to walk away from his shocking fall.
The squad’s trip was due to cover 50 miles after departing from the Argentinian Football Association grounds.
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But it was stopped early on security advice.
Some reports suggested up to four million people had gathered to hail their heroes.
And from the start a joyous, raucous atmosphere was mixed with fans jostling for space.
But all seemed peaceful, if not calm, until the bridge incident.
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And Argentine football chiefs admitted their disappointment at ending the tour early – with the players instead completing their journey by helicopter.
A spokesman for the Argentina FA said: “The players of the Argentine soccer team ended the festivities by flying over in a helicopter over the crowd of fans who gathered in the city.
“They made that decision after verifying that they could not continue advancing by bus in the middle of the crowd.”
And AFA president Claudio Tapia said: “They don’t let us get to greet all the people who were at the Obelisk.
“The same security agencies that escorted us don’t allow us to move forward.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
