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Tiger Woods was in a serious car accident in Los Angeles
Photo: Robin Alam / Icon SMI / imago images
Golf star Tiger Woods was taken to a hospital after a serious accident and was operated on there.
The 45-year-old had driven off the road in Los Angeles on Tuesday morning (local time) and rolled over several times.
According to the authorities, Woods is seriously injured but not life threatening.
His health is stable.
Woods' management released a statement regarding the injuries.
"Open fractures that have affected the upper and lower parts of the tibia and fibula were stabilized by a rod in the tibia," said doctor Anish Mahajan.
Further bone injuries in the foot and ankle were stabilized with a combination of screws and pins.
During the long operation on the right leg, pressure was also taken off the muscle.
Woods is awake, responsive and relaxing in his room.
Apparently traveling at a slightly excessive speed
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said at a press conference that Woods was traveling at "relatively" excessive speed on a steeply sloping road.
The athlete was very lucky given the considerable damage to his vehicle.
“Everything was broken in the front and back, but the interior was largely undamaged.
That was the cushion, otherwise it would have been fatal, ”said Villanueva.
According to police, the accident happened at 7:12 a.m. in southeast Los Angeles.
45 miles per hour (about 72 km / h) are allowed at the scene of the accident.
The weather and the lighting did not play a role, it was already light.
The police and fire brigade said there were no signs of the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication.
No skid marks
TV recordings and photos showed how the heavy car was a good distance from the road on the driver's side.
There were no skid marks, reported Villanueva.
Woods was released through the windshield.
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The car that Woods got off the road in
Photo: ETIENNE LAURENT / EPA
The sponsor's off-road vehicle, whose PGA tournament in Los Angeles Woods hosted this weekend, broke through a tree about 20 centimeters thick and was thrown across the two oncoming lanes.
The vehicle barely missed a telephone pole.
When the police reached the scene of the accident minutes after calling a resident, Woods was reportedly conscious and able to speak.
"It will take days or weeks to figure everything out," said Sheriff Villanueva.
Support and prayers from celebrity friends
According to the Internet portal TMZ, Woods is said to have been buckled up, which allegedly saved his life.
Woods made recordings for a TV show in a hotel before the accident.
He left the site in a great hurry in his SUV and reacted indignantly when he was stopped, it said, citing a source from the broadcaster.
According to TMZ, the golfer had an appointment at 7:30 a.m. local time on a course about an hour's drive away.
He had already left late.
Numerous celebrities commented on the accident on social media: "If I've learned anything over the years, it's never to write off Tiger Woods," tweeted ex-US President Barack Obama.
Record golfer Jack Nicklaus was concerned: "We want to offer him our support and prayers in this difficult time," tweeted the 81-year-old, who has three more major wins than Woods.
“It hurts when one of your closest friends is involved in an accident.
I just hope he's fine.
I'm worried about his children, I'm sure they're having a hard time right now, ”said Justin Thomas, number three in the golf world rankings.
Wood's ex-girlfriend Lindsey Vonn, basketball player Steph Curry and ex-President Donald Trump also sent congratulations.
Woods hosted a PGA tournament in Los Angeles at the weekend and presented the trophy to winner Max Homa on Sunday.
He himself could not participate after his fifth operation on his back in December and wanted to play again at the Masters in Augusta in April.
"God, I hope so," he'd replied to a related question.
Nothing will come of it now.
US media are already speculating whether the accident is synonymous with the end of your career.
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ala / sid / dpa