Argentina fan taken away on stretcher after falling trying to jump from bridge onto team bus
An Argentina fan was filmed leaping from a bridge during a failed attempt to land on the team bus for the World Cup winners.
Chaotic scenes broke out in Buenos Aires yesterday when the victorious side returned home from Qatar after securing a 4-2 win against France on Sunday.
Millions of Argentinians across the country celebrated the win, while in the capital people flocked to the streets to try and get a glimpse of the team.
In footage shared online, two fans can be seen attempting to jump from the bridge onto the open top bus as it passes through underneath.
Argentina's #FIFAWorldCup victory parade in Buenos Aires has been cut short after two fans jumped from a bridge onto the team's bus, with one taken to hospital after falling off.
— 10 News First (@10NewsFirst) December 20, 2022
The fan who fell to the ground continued to celebrate as he was stretchered away in a neck brace. pic.twitter.com/fyaMZuk7d9
While the first man to jump manages to make it onto the bus, the second appears to mistime his jump and can be seen tumbling from the back of the bus to the ground below. The man's injuries are yet to be reported.
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In the clip shared online, a man can be seen being carried on a stretcher while still celebrating by waving his arm in time with the crowd’s chants. Although it's been suggested the man on the stretcher is the same man who fell, it's unclear if this is the case.
Security officials ended up cutting the parade short and the team were instead put into helicopters and flown over the hoards of fans.
AFA president Claudio Tapia later apologised for the last-minute change, saying: “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. A thousand apologies on behalf of all the Champion players. A pity.”
Ahead of the team’s celebration parade, captain Lionel Messi took to Instagram to write: "From Grandoli to the Qatar World Cup took almost 30 years. It was close to three decades when the ball gave me many joys and also some sorrows. I always had a dream of being a World Champion.
"I didn't want to stop trying, even knowing that maybe I would never give up. This Cup we got is also from all those who did not make it in the previous World Cups we played, like in 2014 in Brazil.
"It's also from Diego who encouraged us from heaven. And of course, it's from all this beautiful group that was formed and of the technical team and all the people of the national team who, being anonymous, work day and night to make it easier for us.
"Many times failure is part of the journey and learning and without the disappointments it is impossible for success to come. Thank you very much from my heart! Let's go Argentina!"
Claire Reid