Tiger Woods has undergone a long surgical procedure on his right leg and ankle after suffering multiple open fractures in a serious car crash in California.
Woods is now “awake, responsive and recovering in his hospital room”, a statement on the 15-time major champion’s Twitter page said.
Woods was reported to be conscious and responsive when he was removed from the wreckage by the local fire department early on Tuesday morning before he was rushed to hospital in a “serious condition”.
Woods seriously injured, confirmed details:
- The accident happened shortly after 7am Pacific Time
- Woods was driving, no passengers, no other vehicles involved
- He lost control of his car “at high speed”, the vehicle rolled several times and sustained “extensive damage”
- He was conscious and able to communicate when emergency services arrived at the scene
- Firefighters pulled Woods from the overturned car after smashing the windscreen with an axe
- Woods was taken to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center for surgery
- Woods suffered significant orthopaedic injuries to his “right lower extremity”
- LA County Sheriff said there was no obvious sign that Woods was impaired by drugs or alcohol
In the statement posted on Woods’ Twitter, Anish Mahajan, the chief medical officer and interim CEO of Harbor-UCLA Medical Center said: “Open fractures affecting both the upper and lower portions of the right tibia and fibula bones were stabilised by inserting a rod into the tibia. Additional injuries to the bones of the foot and ankle were stabilised with a combination of screws and pins
“Trauma to the muscle and soft tissue of the leg required surgical release of the covering of the muscles to relieve pressure due to swelling.”
His agent, Mark Steinberg, said: “Tiger Woods was in a single-car accident this morning in California where he suffered multiple leg injuries. He is currently in surgery and we thank you for your privacy and support.”
The LA County Sheriff also stated there was “no obvious sign” that Woods was impaired by drugs or alcohol in his system at the time of the accident, although this could not be confirmed until tests were performed by investigators at the hospital.
Sheriff Alex Villanueva said Woods’ car was travelling at a “relatively greater speed than normal” descending down a hill in an area notorious for a “high frequency of accidents.” There were apparently no skid marks on the road, and it was assumed that the car hit the barrier that separated the carriageways, colliding with a curb and a tree before coming to rest.
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