Ronnie O’Sullivan and Son Involved in Car Crash on M1 While Traveling to Leicester for Afternoon Best-of-Seven Matches.

Ronnie O’Sullivan and Son Involved in Car Crash on M1 While Traveling to Leicester for Afternoon Best-of-Seven Matches.

 

Snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan and his son were reportedly involved in a minor car crash on the M1 motorway while traveling to Leicester on Sunday afternoon for a series of best-of-seven exhibition matches. Thankfully, neither O’Sullivan nor his son sustained serious injuries, and both were said to be “shaken but safe” following the incident.

According to early reports, the collision occurred just after midday near junction 21, as traffic slowed unexpectedly due to congestion. O’Sullivan, who was behind the wheel of his Range Rover, is understood to have collided with another vehicle after a sudden stop in the fast lane. Emergency services were called to the scene, but no major injuries were reported, and all parties involved were treated for minor shock and bruises.

Witnesses described the crash as “a frightening moment” but praised O’Sullivan for remaining calm in the aftermath. One motorist who recognized the snooker star said, “Ronnie looked visibly shaken but he was checking everyone was okay. He handled it really well given the situation.”

The 49-year-old six-time World Champion had been en route to Leicester’s Morningside Arena, where he was scheduled to take part in a series of best-of-seven exhibition games later that afternoon. The event, featuring several top professionals, was expected to draw hundreds of fans eager to see O’Sullivan in action ahead of the upcoming UK Championship later this month.

Organizers confirmed that the matches were briefly delayed to allow O’Sullivan time to recover and make alternative travel arrangements. A spokesperson for the event said, “We can confirm Ronnie O’Sullivan and his son were involved in a minor road traffic incident on their way to Leicester. Thankfully, everyone is safe and well. Ronnie has asked us to thank fans for their concern and understanding.”

O’Sullivan later took to social media to reassure supporters, posting, “Bit of a scare on the M1 earlier, but all good now. Grateful everyone’s okay. See you in Leicester soon.” His message was met with hundreds of supportive replies from fans expressing relief that he and his son were unharmed.

Nicknamed The Rocket for his rapid playing style, O’Sullivan remains one of snooker’s most celebrated and recognizable figures. Over his three-decade career, he has amassed more than 40 ranking titles and remains a perennial favourite in every tournament he enters.

The incident serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly accidents can occur, even for public figures on routine journeys. Despite the disruption, O’Sullivan was determined not to let the incident derail his schedule. After a brief check-up and some rest, he reportedly confirmed his intention to continue with his planned commitments later in the week.

Fans and fellow players alike expressed relief that the situation was not more serious, with many praising O’Sullivan for his resilience and professionalism. As one supporter put it online: “Glad to hear Ronnie and his son are safe — nothing more important than that.”