Tiger Woods was seriously injured and hospitalized on Tuesday morning after being involved in a car accident near Ranchos Palos Verdes, California. He had to be removed from his sport utility vehicle because he suffered major damage after a traffic accident with a single vehicle overturning, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Woods, 45, completed the surgery on Tuesday night. The 15-title winner has undergone “a long surgical procedure on his right leg and ankle” at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and is “awake, responsive and recovering in his hospital room”, according to a press release from your team.
“Mr. Woods suffered significant orthopedic injuries to his right lower extremity that were treated during emergency surgery by orthopedic trauma specialists at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, a level 1 trauma center,” explained Dr. Anish Mahajan, chief medical director of the center and interim CEO.
“Comminuted open fractures that affect the upper and lower portions of the bones of the tibia and fibula were stabilized with the insertion of a rod in the tibia. Additional injuries to the bones of the foot and ankle were stabilized with a combination of screws and pins. Trauma to the muscle. and the soft tissue of the leg required surgical release of the muscle cover to relieve pressure due to swelling. “
Woods’ agent Mark Steinberg said initially that his client had suffered several leg injuries. Reports Los Angeles Times and ESPN indicated that Woods hurt both legs. It is not known whether additional surgeries are in their future.
His injuries were not considered fatal at the scene of the accident. Woods was conscious, calm and lucid when paramedics arrived on the scene. Paramedics considered him to be in serious but stable condition, with a representative from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department saying that Woods was “lucky to be alive”, crediting his vehicle (a Genesis 2021 SUV) and the decision to use seat belt.
The SUV’s only occupant, Woods, was released by paramedics through the vehicle’s windshield, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. There was no evidence of driver disability.
Woods was transported to the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center by ambulance to be treated for his injuries. LAFD chief Daryl Osby explained that transporting Woods to a trauma center instead of a local hospital indicated that his injuries were serious, but his condition was not critical.
Woods was “traveling at high speed” when he “lost control of the vehicle before crossing the central partition” with his SUV running several times, law enforcement sources said. Times. The LASD did not confirm this description of the accident, but noted that the area has a high rate of car accidents because vehicles are going down a steep curve. The accident, which occurred shortly after 7 am, is being investigated by the LASD.
Helicopter footage of the KCBS-TV accident scene showed an SUV lying on its side in a ditch at the foot of a hill with major damage sustained in front of it. Several parts of the vehicle were nearby. The airbags went off, but the cabin inside the SUV was not affected, according to LASD.
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Woods spent the weekend in Southern California as the host of the 2021 Genesis Invitational, which is sponsored by its foundation. He stayed there earlier this week to work with other celebrities as part of the planned promotional activities.
The 15-time champion with 82 career PGA Tour victories, is recovering from a fifth back surgery with the hope of playing professionally later this year. He told Jim Nantz of CBS Sports on Sunday during the Genesis Invitational that he hoped to play in the 2021 Masters in April, if released by doctors.
Woods last played on December 20, 2020 at the PNC Championship in Orlando, Florida.
Athletes and celebrities spent most of Tuesday sending good wishes to Woods on social media.
CBS Sports will continue to update this breaking news.