BREAKING: Tiger Woods transported to hospital with injuries following vehicle crash with “major damage,” LA County Sheriff’s Dept. says. pic.twitter.com/hxcGYAig8D
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Golfing international champion, Tiger Woods has been hospitalised in Los Angeles on Tuesday after a high-speed off-road car wreck which left him with serious leg injuries.
According to Reuters, Los Angeles County Sheriff, Alex Villanueva, in a news conference hours after the accident said the injuries were not believed to be life-threatening and also added that Woods was conscious and “able to communicate” when rescued by the rescue personnel.
The sheriff said there was no evidence of impairment when Woods was assessed by emergency workers at the scene, and that no blood samples were drawn by investigators after he was rushed by ambulance to the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby said Woods suffered serious injuries to both legs and that he was initially listed in serious but stable condition.
According to CNN, Woods sustained compound fractures to his legs.
Carlos Gonzales, a sheriff’s deputy who was the first to reach the wreck, described Woods, who was wearing his seatbelt, as “calm and lucid,” and said he recognized the golf great after Woods told the officer his name was “Tiger.”
As seen in the video and pictures the Genesis sport utility vehicle was badly crumpled and lying on its side close to the bottom of the hillside with its windows smashed.
The accident happened at 7:12 a.m near the suburban communities of Rolling Hills Estates and Rancho Palos Verdes and Woods was the only occupant said the Sheriff’s Department.
Tiger Wood’s agent Mark Steinberg speaking with Golf Digest Journalist, Daniel Rapaport, 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 sheriff’s department initially said a rescue tool known as “the jaws of life” was used to pry Woods from the wreckage. Fire department officials later said emergency personnel pulled Woods from the vehicle through the front windshield after the glass was removed.
Analysing the accident, the L. A County Sheriff, Villanueva said the Genesis SUV front was badly destroyed and could have been fatal but the vehicle airbags and seatbelts help Woods survive.
Villanueva also added that they believe Woods was travelling at a high rate of speed down the hilly part of the road when the crash occurred noting that there were no skid marks or other indications of braking. The Sheriff deputy added that the accident area is known as a trouble spot for speeding and accidents.
Woods is 45 years old and a 15-time Grand Slam champion making him one of the world’s most celebrated sports figure.