Tiger Woods badly hurt in motor vehicle accident, expected to survive
Golf champion Tiger Woods was hospitalized in Los Angeles on Tuesday with extreme leg injuries suffered when his car careened off a good road and rolled straight down a hillside, requiring rescue crews to pry him from the crash wreckage, authorities said.
The injuries weren't believed to be life-threatening, LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva told a news conference, adding Woods was conscious and "able to communicate" when rescue personnel arrived.
The sheriff said there was no proof driver impairment when Woods was assessed by emergency personnel at the scene, and no blood samples were drawn by investigators after he was rushed by ambulance to the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.
Woods, among the world's most celebrated sports statistics, was the only real occupant of the car when it crashed about 7:12 a.m. near to the suburban network of Rolling Hills Estates, the sheriff's division said.
Sheriff's deputy Carlos Gonzales, first on the picture, said Woods, still using his seatbelt, was "calm and lucid." The deputy said he instantly recognized the golfing great after Woods told him his name was "Tiger."
Woods suffered serious accidents to both hip and legs and was at first listed in serious but stable condition, LA County Fire Chief Daryl Osby told reporters. CNN reported Woods sustained substance fractures to his hip and legs.
It had been not immediately sharp what effect the car accident may have on his career.
Woods, 45, who actually has endured a series of again and knee injuries in recent years, is considered the greatest golfer of his technology. He's the only contemporary pro to get all major golfing titles in succession, acquiring the U.S. Open up, British Open up and PGA Championship in 2000 and the Masters title in 2001, a feat that became noted a the Tiger Slam.
HAZARDOUS ROAD STRETCH
In a statement to Golf Digest magazine, Woods' agent, Mark Steinberg, said the winner of 15 key championships was undergoing surgery.
The reason for the accident was under investigation, although sheriff said weather was not a factor.
Video from the picture showed Woods' dark gray 2021 Genesis sport utility car or truck badly crumpled and lying on its side nearby the bottom level of the hillside, its windows smashed.
Woods' vehicle swerved over the median strip into a great oncoming lane in that case struck a good curb and a tree since it plunged off the road and down a great embankment, Villanueva said, adding "there were several rollovers" before the SUV came to rest. The sheriff explained the steep and winding stretch out of road "includes a high frequency of crashes."
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputies inspect the automobile of golfer Tiger Woods, who was simply rushed to hospital after suffering multiple injuries, after it was involved with a single-vehicle accident found in LA, California, U.S. February 23, 2021. Photo: Reuters
The sheriff also said the distance the automobile traveled before leaving the roadway, without obvious skid marks, pointed to the car "going at a comparatively greater speed than normal."
Fire department officials said emergency personnel pulled Woods from the automobile through leading windshield after the glass and its own surrounding frame were chop out and removed.
TRANSFORMATIONAL TALENT
Woods' success on the greens elevated him to worldwide fame, ushering within an period of multimillion-dollar endorsements and lucrative appearances. As the initial African American to achieve major golfing stardom, Woods as well helped transform the activity itself, broadening its charm far beyond golf's traditional domain of white, man and middle-class enthusiasts.
He was also a major influence on today's technology of golfers that included such benefits as Australian former community No. 1 Jason Evening, who has explained he read a e book about Woods and sought to copy the American's rigorous job ethic.
Woods, who possessed his fifth back surgery found in December and has undergone several knee functions, hosted the PGA tour's gross annual Genesis Invitational in the Riviera Country Club over the weekend but didn't compete.
He was seen at the Rolling Hills Region Club on Monday with celebrity Jada Pinkett Smith, retired basketball superstar Dwyane Wade and comedian David Spade. Golfing Digest reported Woods have been filming for a Television show where he was presenting on-course instruction to the three stars and was because of resume filming on Tuesday.
'IN OUR PRAYERS'
News of Woods' automobile accident sent shock waves through the athletics world.
"Praying for my brother @TigerWoods as most of us anxiously await more information," retired baseball superstar Alex Rodriguez said about Twitter. "Thinking about him and his complete family."
"I am sick to my tummy," fellow PGA Tour golfer Justin Thomas said during a news conference.
The PGA Tour issued a statement from Commissioner Jay Monahan. "We happen to be awaiting more info when he comes out of surgery. ... Tiger is in our prayers and will have our total support as he recovers."
California-born Eldrick "Tiger" Woods turned professional in 1996 and won his 1st U.S. Tour subject in only his 5th start. Since that time, he has almost redefined the game.
Woods held the most notable spot in specialist golf's world search positions for an archive total of 683 weeks, winning 14 key championship titles from 1997 to 2008.
After some injuries and personal issues derailed his career at times, Woods claimed his 15th major title at the Masters in 2019, his fifth time earning the coveted green jacket directed at Masters champions. Just Jack Nicklaus, with 18, has won extra majors.
Tuesday's accident was not Woods' first auto-related mishap.
Woods crashed his car into a tree and fire hydrant in a bizarre, middle-of-night incident in '09 2009 at his high class Florida home that resulted in revelations of extramarital affairs and eventually his divorce from ex - model Elin Nordegren in August 2010.
In 2017, Woods blamed an unexpected reaction to approved medications for an early morning hours arrest near his Florida residential when he was found asleep at the wheel of his car with the engine performing in site visitors and was charged with driving while impaired. He soon after pleaded guilty to reckless driving and was positioned on probation for a year.
