Tiger Woods is “awake, responsive and recovering” in hospital after he was involved in a near-fatal car crash.
On Tuesday, the golfer was involved in a single vehicle crash in California, and was removed for the wreck by firefighters and paramedics using the ‘jaws of life’.
After being transported to hospital, the 45-year-old underwent surgery after suffering “multiple leg injuries”.
Sharing an update on his condition, a statement was released via the official Twitter account of Tiger.
It read: “We thank everyone for the overwhelming support and messages during this tough time. As previously communicated Tiger was involved in a single-car accident early this morning in California.”
“He has undergone a long surgical procedure on his lower right leg and ankle after being brought to the hospital. He is currently awake, responsive, and recovering in his hospital room.”
According to Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva, Tiger survived “what would otherwise have been a fatal crash” because the interior of his vehicle remained largely intact.
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) February 24, 2021
Anish Mahajan, chief medical officer and interim CEO at the hospital said: “Mr Woods suffered significant orthopaedic injuries to his right lower extremity that were treated during emergency surgery by orthopaedic trauma specialists at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, a level 1 trauma center.”
“Comminuted open fractures affecting the upper and lower of the 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.”
During a press conference after the crash, LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said the golfer’s vehicle was likely moving at a “relatively greater speed than normal” on a downward-sloping road known for a “high frequency of accidents”.
