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Jay Leno
Photo: MEGA/GC Images
US moderator Jay Leno spoke for the first time about his serious accident on November 12th.
The former Tonight Show host suffered second-degree burns to his face and upper body when a car burst into flames in his Los Angeles garage.
For nine days, Leno was treated at the Grossman Burn Center at West Hills Hospital.
He had to have two skin grafts done.
With his longtime friend Dave Killackey, the presenter had been working on a clogged fuel line on a vintage 1907 White Steam Car.
Leno owns a large collection of rare and expensive cars and motorcycles.
He was under the vehicle at the time of the accident.
"When you work with cars, there are many accidents," said the 72-year-old, according to "People."
He got gasoline in his face while repairing the vintage car, which ignited.
"It felt like my face was on fire," Leno said.
"Maybe like the worst sunburn you've ever had, you might say."
Despite the shock, he managed to keep his eyes closed and avoided breathing while trying to crawl out from under the car.
Killackey helped him with that.
"I'm not the panicky type, but I knew that if I breathed in, my lungs would burn." He was under the car for about ten seconds.
"A little longer and I could have lost my eye."
Both of them initially smothered the flames with work clothes.
The emergency doctor was on site after a few minutes and took Leno to the hospital.
Burns on the face, neck, chest, hands and left arm were treated there.
"The burns were deeper than I expected," said treating physician Peter Grossman.
"Jay is definitely a special case considering how well his injuries have healed despite their severity."
Leno therefore refrained from taking painkillers.
"The pain reminds me that I'm an idiot," he explains.
Get well wishes from Travolta, Selleck and Crowe
Two transplants were necessary - one with human skin, another with pig intestines.
Prominent friends supported him during his recovery, Leno reports.
'Travolta sent me a large Italian gift basket, Tom Selleck flowers, and Russell Crowe called from Australia.
I've been in this business for a long time, it was very touching to feel this care.«
Just six days after leaving the hospital, Leno was back on stage at the Comedy & Magic Club in Hermosa Beach, California.
"Will keep doing the same stupid things"
The incident gave his career a boost, Leno joked.
People would now think, "Let's look at him again before he burns himself again."
The comedian is certain that the accident could have been much worse.
"I'm alright.
And I'm sure I'll keep doing the same stupid things I've always done.
Just maybe a little more careful.”
From 2015, his column "Jay Leno's Garage" for the magazine "Popular Mechanics" became a TV show that Leno moderates.
He is one of the most successful talk show hosts in the USA.
The comedian hosted the popular »Tonight Show« until 2014.
bam/dpa