Basham's Injury and Safety Implications

[Brawn]

Think we should all take a moment, whether we followed from the stands or from your homes today, to offer our thoughts to Chris Basham. It happened in front of me (albeit I didn't see him go down as I was watching the ball) and the fans waving for the medical staff to come on urgently indicated just how much of a problem it was. Full marks to Tim Ream for attending to him in the moment although it did concern me why it took (comparatively) so long to get the medical staff in and around him.

However, Fulham will have questions to answer with regard to safety. I don't think the ambulance could actually access the pitch (because they looked like they were about to reverse it on, but didn't) and they did have some difficulty when he was stretchered off actually getting him in the ambulance. In an even more serious emergency that would be a problem.

The big gap between the Hammersmith End and Johnny Haynes Stand was a problem too - once play restarted the stewards were incredibly concerned when the ball came into that third of the pitch, for obvious reasons.

I am sure the ground's safety personnel will answer these questions.

[Somerset Fulham]

I thought they were excellent from what I saw.  Tony Gale did too.

[Thames Bank 1]

What football ground has full access to the pitch ?

[Brawn]

I thought they were excellent from what I saw.  Tony Gale did too.

There was definitely some consternation around me as to why the medical staff took a minute to get over to him.

[filham]

I feel sure that the incident will be reviewed and any necessary corrective action taken.
Safety has to be a priority.

[Shredhead]

I had a similar leg break in a cycling accident on the South Downs, so this afternoon brought back horrible memories.

  It took the paramedics 90 minutes to reach me and I had to be put on a stretcher on the back of a flat bed Land Rover (the fire service had had to cut through a gate to get access) and up a bumpy track to the ambulance and then to hospital. But the paramedics' approach was exactly the same as today - gas and air to dull the pain, stabilise the leg with an air splint and then use one of those clip together stretchers. Basham would have probably been straight on the morphine as well.

It's a really nasty break but he'll get the best treatment going (like Zamora got at the same time as me) and could be training again in 6 months. I really really wish him well.

 

[tigs]

There was definitely some consternation around me as to why the medical staff took a minute to get over to him.

It seemed to take forever (I sit in Johnny Haynes.. near enough to see..) BUT - time moves strangely when you see an accident, I think in reality they were quite quick - there was what looked like surgery going on (straightening the foot) .. it looked awful

I hope he recovers well

[Bill2]

Saw the thing from my seat on H2 and straight away you could see he had broken his leg. Look at the picture on the FFC website.  They could have got the stretcher on quicker but not sure what else could have been done. None of us know  what was happening when Basham was in the back of the ambulance, but he was probably in Charing Cross hospital in a few minutes.

[Somerset Fulham]

Obviously aside from wishing Chris Basham all the best, this is our captain and this is a man that this club and its fans should be singing from the rafters about.

Not just for this picture, but for everything he has done from not being trusted (by fans and management alike) at every step of his Fulham career and at every step he has proved them wrong, for fighting his way back into a decent US side for a world cup for Rhys Porter and so so much more. 

This man is what an inspiration looks like and when he goes, the club will be a lesser place for his leaving.

Tim Ream appreciation post btw 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/HnLDAwXBNo

— Gem Tollerfield ⚔️ (@TheBladette) October 7, 2023

[Whitestone]

Fulham don't have any questions to answer. This is a non issue. From my position in the Hammy End the ambulance was able to reverse almost to the corner flag. The incident occurred metres away so there was no problem accessing the ambulance. Ream recognised the seriousness of the injury and was superb going straight to the player to assist. Medical staff were on scene asap and were joined by Paul Heckingbottom the Sheff U manager, which was great to see. It's quite unbelievable that anyone can find something to complain about.

All the best Chris Basham. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

[Lighthouse]

A bizarre injury. An awful looking injury but the fact he was able to react and show a thumbs up to the applauding Fulham fans means that the pain meds were kicking in and I think any criticism of the speed of the medical attention seems a little over the yop.

The injury to Diop while not as serious was equally bizarre. Reports that there is a crack in the foot means he will be out for some time as well.

Just weird injuries that happened with no other players involved. Needless to say a speedy recovery is what we all hope for.

[Jim©]

Obviously aside from wishing Chris Basham all the best, this is our captain and this is a man that this club and its fans should be singing from the rafters about.

Not just for this picture, but for everything he has done from not being trusted (by fans and management alike) at every step of his Fulham career and at every step he has proved them wrong, for fighting his way back into a decent US side for a world cup for Rhys Porter and so so much more. 

This man is what an inspiration looks like and when he goes, the club will be a lesser place for his leaving.

Tim Ream appreciation post btw 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/HnLDAwXBNo

— Gem Tollerfield ⚔️ (@TheBladette) October 7, 2023

I'd like to echo these thoughts exactly. Reams always been my favourite player and has put up with a load of unfair stick. From negotiating his own contracts to his gentlemanly demeanour in and around the sport, there's a lot that the younger generations can learn from this man.

[RaySmith]

Agree, Tim Ream - top man, top player.

[KJS]

Thought it was handled extremely professionally so no issues for the club, he was attended too by more staff than the average A+E department and the fact he was taken to an ambulance no more than 20 yards from the pitch was a massive plus as he could continue to be treated and stabilised immediately

[alfie]

Saw the thing from my seat on H2 and straight away you could see he had broken his leg. Look at the picture on the FFC website.  They could have got the stretcher on quicker but not sure what else could have been done. None of us know  what was happening when Basham was in the back of the ambulance, but he was probably in Charing Cross hospital in a few minutes.

Apparently it was said he was taken to St George's, in Wandsworth, why I don't know when CXH is 5 mins away. Need to emphasise that is what I heard, not necessarily what happened.

[HamsterWheel]

Once stabilised the ambulance takes you to the best hospital to treat you. When my mate had his heart attack a few years back in the Hammy End the ambulance took him to the hospital next to Wormwood Scrubs as that's the heart specialist one.

[sunburywhite]

You mean St Georges Tooting which is an amazing hospital by all accounts

[alfie]

Once stabilised the ambulance takes you to the best hospital to treat you. When my mate had his heart attack a few years back in the Hammy End the ambulance took him to the hospital next to Wormwood Scrubs as that's the heart specialist one.

CXH has a lower limb specialty dept.

[Rupert]

With regards to the time taken for medical staff to reach the player, they are reliant on the referee calling them on. The physio would have been ready to run on as soon as he/she was called. Ditto the stretcher. Clearly everyone was prepared and went as soon as they were called.
Top marks to the skipper for his reaction, shame the press will ignore it.

[Twig]

Not sure whether FFC have any small issues to address, but I am sure there will be a review as there should be after any major incident.  However I would like to add my thoughts and admiration to those who have already praised Tim Ream, he's a class act.