A 17-year-old Moroccan has risked his life by hiding under the Real Valladolid team bus, in an attempt to cross from Ceuta to mainland Spain.
The minor had hid in the lower part of the bus, near the wheel axle, while the vehicle was in the port of Ceuta. The bus then boarded the ferry to Algeciras and the 17-year-old remained hidden throughout the sea crossing, which lasted about 45 minutes.
But his journey continued even after the bus got off the ferry. After the vehicle had traveled about 100 kilometers on the road, the players and staff members heard noises and shouts coming from under the bus.
The driver stopped the vehicle and discovered the 17-year-old, who had been trapped under the bus the entire way. The players and staff helped him out, while giving him water, food and clothes.
The Real Valladolid doctor provided first aid, and the young man suffered minor injuries, despite the extraordinary danger he had endured.
Valladolid vice-president Jorge Santiago indicated that the situation could have ended in tragedy if the players had not heard the noises.
"The players heard some noises, as if someone was hitting the bus from below," he said, stressing that if the minor had lost strength and fallen onto the road, he could have been crushed by the bus.
After the intervention, the 17-year-old was handed over to the Guardia Civil and then to the juvenile protection services in Andalusia. According to reports, he was aiming to reach a reception center for minors.
