Actor Harrison Ford was injured Thursday after he crashed with his vintage World War II plane on a golf course in California.
The 72-year-old Hollywood actor was stabilized and taken to a nearby hospital. He was conscious when was rescued from the plane wreck and now is in a moderate condition, according to the authorities. Harrison Ford suffered a broken arm, a gash to the head and other minor injuries. NBC News says the actor has underwent surgery Thursday night.
Ben Ford, the actor’s son, tweeted that Harrison was “battered, but OK” after he crashed his World War 2 vintage plane, which had engine troubles before take off. The “Star Wars” protagonist had to make an emergency landing and his injuries are not life threatening, said Ford’s publicist, Ina Treciokas, adding that Harrison Ford is expected to make a full recovery after the incident.
One of the first witnesses on the scene, Howard Teba, who works for the Penmar Golf Course, said that Harrison Ford had blood all over his face. Teba, who put a blanket under Ford, mentioned that two doctors rushed to the scene and took good care of the actor.
Harrison Ford and his single-engine plane Ryan Aeronautical ST3KR crashed on the golf course shortly after takeoff from Santa Monica Airport. The accident was caused by a loss of engine power. Harrison Ford reported this before he crash-landed and clipped the top of a tree. The actor was trying to return to the airport, but the plane couldn’t take him there.
Santa Monica Airport only has one runway, but is very close to many golf courses. The plane landed on its belly, but the landing gear collapsed, while one of the wings touched the ground.
It’s not the first time Harrison Ford is involved in an aviation incident. In 1999, in Santa Clara, California, the avid flyer crashed with a Bell helicopter, after encountering mechanical failure.
He also missed filming time of “Star Wars: Episode VII” last year, after he broke one of his legs on the set in Buckinghamshire, England.
The Federal Aviation Administration has opened an investigation, but it could take some time because the plane didn’t have a “black box” data recorder.
Image Source: Los Angeles Times