Arsenal pay tribute to 90-year-old fan tragically killed after being blown in front of bus
ARSENAL have paid tribute to a life-long 90-year-old fan who tragically died after being blown in front of a bus during a freak accident.
Mr Crouch died when a gust of wind blew him into the path of a bus
Ernie Crouch was killed when a violent gust of wind blew him into the path of a bus while on his way to the Emirates Stadium for Saturday's home game against Sunderland.
Mr Crouch has been an Arsenal supporter since he first attended a game at the club's old Highbury Stadium in 1934.
Following the tragic accident in Finchley, north London, both the club and supporters took to Twitter to pay tribute to Mr Crouch.
The official Arsenal Twitter account tweeted: "Everyone at Arsenal Football Club is saddened to learn of the passing of lifelong fan Ernie Crouch. May he rest in peace."
Everyone at Arsenal Football Club is saddened to learn of the passing of lifelong fan Ernie Crouch. May he rest in peace
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) December 6, 2015
Broadcaster and Arsenal supporter Piers Morgan has called for the players to wear black armbands during Wednesday's decisive Champions League away match against Olympiakos.
RIP Ernie Crouch. Followed Arsenal for 80yrs.Died yesterday when high winds blew him into a bus on way to game. pic.twitter.com/pCBjykma06
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) December 6, 2015
The Arsenal Supporter's trust has said it is planning to public mark Mr Crouch's death, but that they are waiting on further instructions from his family.
Red Hot Chilean wrote: "A real Gooner through all the good times as well as the bad times."
RIP Ernie Crouch. A real Gooner through all the good times aswell as the bad times pic.twitter.com/fLx0zz1KiY
— Red Hot Chilean (@ArsenalsCannon) December 7, 2015
Tony "Gooner" Baker also wrote: "The REAL LEGEND that is Mr Ernie Crouch...this man should have somthing named after him at the Emirates."
The REAL LEGEND that is Mr Ernie Crouch....this man should have something named after him at the Emirates #arsenalfc pic.twitter.com/eOHMYGNMhz
— Tony 'Gooner' Baker (@1968TonyB) December 7, 2015
Mr Crouch was one of a number of fatalities caused by Storm Desmond which battered parts of the UK over the weekend, causing severe flooding in the country's northern regions.
One person's body was found in a river in Cumbria while another person died in Northern Ireland after their car got trapped in flood water.