A fan who fell on top of a Crystal Palace ball boy as West Ham fans celebrated a goal is trying to catch up with the lad and invite him to the London Stadium.
Jack Levin, who was celebrating his 62nd birthday, lunged forward and knocked an LED billboard down onto the boy as other fans were also caught in the crowd.
Millions of Match of the Day viewers watched Mr Levin, a legal costs officer, fall over the advertising hoarding which then fell on the boy before goalscorer Tomas Soucek came to his rescue.
Mr Levin, from Essex, said he suffered an ankle injury and scraped his knees in the clash which occurred as West Ham took the lead in the 67th minute.
As he stood up, Mr Levin attempted to reach the trapped boy, which also saw Brazilian star Lucas Paquetá caught in the fray.
Jack Levin (pictured with glasses) fell on a ball boy during a goal celebration on Saturday
Levin (left) was celebrating his 62nd birthday at the game with friends and revealed he contacted the ball boy after the worrying incident.
West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek rescued the ball boy after an LED screen collapsed on him during the celebrations.
‘Other fans pushed me from behind and were falling forwards and I tried to keep my balance by putting my hands on the advertising hoarding but it gave way.
‘When I stood up, I was going to help the boy and saw that Soucek had come to his aid.’
Part of the screen fell on a Crystal Palace ball boy, whose clothes appeared to stick to it.
Sensing danger, Soucek quickly abandoned his celebration and used his strength to free the boy, who was then helped to his feet by Jarrod Bowen.
Mr Lewin added: “My ankle was sore for about 10 minutes but I’m fine now. But I’m more pleased that the lad is OK and the gentlemanly way the players responded and forgot about celebrating straight away.”
‘Lucas had his back turned and was oblivious to what was going on around him. But the players were brilliant with the boy.
‘It just goes to show that despite what people say about them being rich and out of touch with reality, they are decent human beings, as most would be in that kind of situation.
“If Tomas hadn’t pulled him out, he could have been seriously injured and thank God he wasn’t. My friends who were with me were also very worried about him.
“I saw Tomas and Jarrod Bowen and some of the other players looking after him. But the lad looked quite shocked and upset.
West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen was seen checking on the ball boy after the clash.
‘I’m sorry about what happened to you. It wasn’t really anyone’s fault. First a door broke on the advertising boards and then people fell on top of each other and I was pushed into it too and the LED sign broke.
“I’m contacting Crystal Palace to see if I can speak to the boy’s parents and get him to come to West Ham as a guest for the return leg later in the season.”
She added: ‘My daughter Cara would have been with me but she found out a few weeks ago that she is expecting her first child and has decided not to come to the games while she is pregnant.
“It would have been very worrying if she had been there in the middle of the crowd.”
‘Overall, it was a great day. We won… although my friend’s wife made me wear a “Birthday Boy” badge to the game, which was kind of funny because I’m 62.’
Bowen and the ball boy hugged, before Soucek also went to check on him.
The boy was visibly shaken before being taken away by stadium security.
Bowen then scored the second goal of the game to help the Hammers record their first win under new manager Julen Lopetegui.
Fans on social media were quick to praise Soucek for his actions.
One tweeted: ‘Soucek is an absolute hero for saving that ball boy from being crushed.’
Another wrote: “Tomas Soucek. Goal scorer. Hero.”
A third message read: ‘Congratulations to Tommy Soucek for spotting the danger when a ball boy fell under the advertising barrier, as West Ham were celebrating their second goal.’
After the game, Bowen gave his jersey to the ball boy.
Recalling the incident where he and Soucek came to the boy’s aid, Bowen said: “I managed to get him out as quickly as possible, it was just instinct. He’s doing well, which is good to see.”
