Wrexham's James McClean speaks out on scary car crash – 'Smoke was everywhere'
Wrexham captain James McClean has opened up on the car crash he was involved in on his way to training earlier this year and how he was lucky to escape unscathed
Wrexham skipper James McClean has recounted the harrowing moment he narrowly escaped severe injury following a car crash. The ex- Republic of Ireland star was driving to training on January 22 when his Audi RS6 hit a roundabout near Wrexham Golf Club.
Despite extensive damage to his vehicle, the 36-year-old walked away from the accident with only minor injuries after being checked over as emergency services attended the scene. In an astonishing show of resilience, McClean didn't let the scare stop him and made it to training later that day once his car was removed.
He even took to the pitch for Wrexham 's important League One match against Birmingham City at the Racecourse Ground the next night, which ended in a 1-1 draw. McClean has now opened up about the incident, acknowledging he was fortunate to avoid more serious consequences.
Discussing the ordeal during the latest instalment of the ' Welcome to Wrexham ' docuseries, McClean said: "It was a really foggy morning and it was hard to see. I thought I had more road than I did. I came out from behind a lorry and the roundabout just appeared.
"For the next five seconds it was just a blur. Then the car stopped and there's all this smoke coming out of the car. The door was quite wedged and I was banging it to get it open."
Reflecting on the seriousness of the incident, he added: "I just see it as there's bigger things ahead for me and it just wasn't my time. I was saved that day. It was a scary experience, but it just shows you how quickly things can change."
McClean's wife Erin also expressed her alarm upon hearing about the accident via a text from her husband, with whom she shares four children. "I got a message from James saying he'd just been in a crash and he sent me a picture of the car," she said. "I didn't believe it.
"My heart just started racing and then I rang him straight away. He answered and I was like, 'Are you hurt?' He was like, 'I'm actually okay.' I just jumped in the car and went straight to Wrexham. He came out and was like, 'I'm going to training.'"
McClean previously exposed the vile taunts that Erin faced online after the accident. Taking to Instagram following his appearance against Birmingham, he posted: "Now that the game is out of the way, to address yesterday. An experience I never wish to encounter again.
"I am blessed and thankful I managed to walk away with minor injuries and return home to my family, though much to the disappointment of some smelly scruffy pathetic creatures that messaged my wife online. Thank you for the messages of support."
McClean made the move to Wrexham from Wigan Athletic for an undisclosed sum in the summer of 2023, having previously played in the Premier League with Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion.
He has been instrumental in helping the club, which is owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, secure automatic promotion in the past two seasons, propelling them from League Two to the Championship.
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