Tiger Woods crash details: The latest updates on his injuries and recovery time

Tiger Woods underwent emergency orthopedic surgery Tuesday after a single-car,  rollover accident in southern California. 

As of Tuesday night, he was "awake, responsive and recovering in the hospital room," his team posted in a statement on the star golfer's Twitter account. 

Woods, a 15-time major tournament champion, has seen an outpouring of support from the golf world and beyond since news of the crash broke. 

"It’s sickening," PGA Tour pro Adam Scott said. "He’s our hero out here. You think guys like Tiger and Kobe Bryant are untouchable, but they’re not." 

Here is the latest information and details on the crash. 

Tiger Woods accident details

The LA County Sheriff's Department responded to a 911 call for a roll-over accident at 7:12 a.m. PT on the border of Rolling Hills Estates and Rancho Palos Verdes. The vehicle had been traveling northbound on Hawthorne Boulevard and sustained major damage, while landing in the brush about 50 feet from the closest home. 

The front end of the SUV was destroyed and the airbags deployed. 

How first responders rescued Tiger Woods from crash

Deputy Carlos Gonzalez, first to arrive on the scene at 7:18 a.m. PT, said Woods was unable to stand or remove himself from the vehicle. He was conscious and able to speak, appearing "calm and lucid," Gonzalez said.

Tiger Woods during the final round of The Genesis Invitational. (Photo: Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports)

CRASH SITE: Tiger Woods crashed on dangerous, curvy road known as problem area

MIRACLE REVISITED: Ben Hogan had come back from major injuries

OPINION: We can't stop talking about Tiger and his golf career, even when we should

Gonzalez first asked Woods his name, and he replied "Tiger." Gonzalez then immediately recognized him, he said. Gonzalez was wearing his body camera and it was on when he found Woods.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department dispatched from Station 106 at 7:22 a.m., Fire Chief Daryl Osby said, and arrived at the scene at 7:28 a.m. 

Osby said those in the field reported to him that Woods had serious injuries to both legs. He added that due to the nature of the accident, and the fact Woods was extricated from the vehicle, he met the criteria to be taken to the nearest trauma center, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, a decision that doctors would later praise. 

Where Tiger Woods' car crash happened

That section of Hawthorne Boulevard, where the speed limit is 45 mph, moves downhill quickly, with slopes and curves. 

VISUALS: Map of Tiger Woods' car wreck

"We regularly cite people for speed on that section of Hawthorne Boulevard," Los Angeles County Sheriff's Lt. Michael White told USA TODAY Sports. "It’s a steep downhill grade, and it’s steep enough to warrant two runaway truck lanes."

Were the 'Jaws of Life' used? 

No. While initial reports said the Jaws of Life — hydraulic tools that can be used to pry or cut automobile wreckage — were used, the rescue team actually opted for more traditional appliances: an axe and pry bar. 

"The Jaws of Life were out there," department spokesperson Christopher Thomas told USA TODAY Sports, "but basically what they did was they broke the windshield out."

Woods was extricated from the vehicle via backboard.

Why did Tiger Woods crash? 

The reasons behind the crash remain unknown, and Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said a traffic investigation could take days or weeks. 

Wednesday on Instagram Live, Villanueva said the department is not considering charges of any kind against Woods. The incident is being considered an accident, which could lead to a misdemeanor at most.

Villanueva added: “He was not drunk. We can throw that one out.”

Gonzalez was wearing his body camera, and it was on, while he interacted in the vehicle with Woods, and that footage should be available in the near future. 

Tiger Woods' injuries

In the statement posted by Woods' team, Anish Mahajan, the chief medical officer and interim CEO at Harbor-UCLA, said Woods suffered "comminuted open fractures" affecting both the upper and lower portions of his right tibia and fibula, the two main bones in the lower leg.

Source: Read Full Article