Crystal Palace defender Pape Souaré airlifted to hospital after motorway crash

Crystal Palace defender Pape Souaré was airlifted to hospital after a car crash on the M4 motorway on Sunday (11 September) but his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

The 26-year-old has suffered thigh and jaw bone injuries in the incident.

"A brief statement from his club read: "Crystal Palace Football Club regret to confirm that Pape Souare was yesterday (Sunday) involved in a car accident and taken to hospital in London.

"The player has sustained injuries to his thigh and jaw bone and will remain in hospital whilst he receives treatment. The club are liaising closely with the hospital on his progress and we obviously wish him a speedy recovery."

A Met Police spokesman confirmed the driver of the other car involved in the crash did not require hospital treatment. A statement read: "Police are appealing for witnesses after a road traffic collision on the eastbound carriageway of the M4 motorway.

"Officers were called shortly before 12:10hrs on Sunday, 11 September to reports of two cars in collision between junctions four and three.

"London Ambulance Service attended and the driver of one of the cars - a man aged in his 20s - was taken to an east London hospital for treatment. His injuries are not life threatening."

Souare, who joined the south east London club from French side Lille in January 2015, was not in the Palace squad that beat Middlesbrough 2-1 at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday (10 September) due to an earlier injury.