A West Ham supporter is in a critical condition in Cyprus after falling out of a moving minibus on Tuesday afternoon.
Police in Cyprus have confirmed a man was taken to Nicosia General Hospital on the Paphos-Limassol highway. The Hammers fan was one of six people - aged between 30 to 41 - in the minibus when the incident unfolded. It is believed the vehicle was driving at approximately 62 miles per hour. The driver, 33, has given a positive drugs test, police said.
Thousands of West Ham fans have travelled to Cyprus for the first leg of their team's last-16 Europa Conference League tie against AEK Larnaca on Thursday evening. The Premier League club are among the favourites to win UEFA's tertiary club competition this season.
It is claimed the stricken fan fell out of a window and onto the road, sustaining head injuries. The individual was in possession of 1.5 grams of cocaine, while the driver has been arrested following their failed drug test. The police are investigating the incident.
Police in Cyprus issued a statement on Wednesday morning. It read, "One of the passengers, who was in the back seat, appears to have opened the window of the car and sat on it, causing him to lose his balance and fall to the road.
"An ambulance was called to the scene, which initially transported the man to the Limassol General Hospital and then, due to the seriousness of his condition, to the Nicosia General Hospital where he is being treated in a critical but stable condition.
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"The man was found in possession of four packages containing a quantity of a solid substance believed to be cocaine, with a total weight of one-and-a-half grams.
"The 32-year-old driver of the vehicle was subjected to a breathalyser test with a zero reading, while in a preliminary drug test, the reading was positive."
According to Greek reports, the driver was taken into custody and faces offences related to his duties as a driver, as he did not take the necessary measures for the safe transportation of his passengers; he also faces charges of negligent acts resulting in grievous bodily harm.
West Ham are yet to comment on the matter.
West Ham are enduring a difficult campaign under Moyes. The Hammers are 16th in the Premier League - just one point above the relegation zone - and were thumped 4-0 at Brighton last Saturday. Yet they are just four points behind Crystal Palace in 12th.
West Ham's European campaign has provided some solace to fans. They have won all six of their Europa Conference League games this season and are expected to beat Larnaca in the last 16, as they have a great chance of ending their 43-year trophy drought. The other favourites to win the Europa League include Fiorentina, Lazio and Villarreal.
Moyes has urged the fans to throw their support around his battling team. He told reporters after the 4-0 loss to Brighton, "We need them behind us. Good supporters support when it's bad as well as good. And for the past few years it's been really good here."
