FORMER Tottenham star Anton Walkes died from horror injuries after a boat smashed into his jet-ski, an inquest heard today.
The defender, 25, was a passenger on the jet-ski in Miami in January when a 46ft scarab boat collided with him.
Anton, who had been in Florida for a training camp for his club Charlotte FC at the time, was thrown into the water from the force of the impact.
He was rushed to hospital in a critical condition but sadly couldn’t be saved and died the following day.
The footballer received “facial trauma” from the collision with his cause of death recorded as blunt force trauma, an inquest heard.
Assistant coroner Dr Julian Morris said: “He was, on January 18, a passenger on a jet-ski when a 46ft scarab boat collided with them – ejecting Mr Walkes into the water.
“He was wearing a flotation device and was in the water for less than a minute.”
The inquest at Southwark Coroners’ Court heard Anton was never fully submerged in the water.
Anton began his career with Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur in July 2013.
The footballer played one match for the senior team – coming on as a sub in Spurs’ 5-0 win against Gillingham in the League Cup in 2016.
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He also had spells at Portsmouth and Atlanta United before moving to Major League Soccer club Charlotte in 2022.
The team’s sporting director Zoran Krneta said: “We are heartbroken from the loss of Anton Walkes, a truly incredible father, loving person, and outstanding human being.
“Anton embodied what it means to be a part of Charlotte Football Club and our entire community is grieving over this tragedy.
“The impact he made in the locker room and throughout Charlotte will never be forgotten.
“We are thinking of his lovely family during this time and will support them fully in every way imaginable.”
Tottenham also paid tribute to their former player, who is believed to have had a daughter.
The club said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former player, Anton Walkes.
“The thoughts of everyone at the Club are with his family and friends at this incredibly sad time.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
