Harrison Ford was "battered but OK"
Thursday after his vintage World War II training plane lost engine power
and crash-landed on a California golf course, authorities and family
members said.
The 72-year-old actor,
who was conscious and breathing when rescue crews reached him, was
stabilized and taken to a hospital, where he was in fair to moderate
condition, authorities said. Sources familiar with the incident told NBC
News that Ford slammed into the plane's console and control stick and
that he underwent surgery Thursday night. He suffered a broken arm and a
nasty gash to his head, among other injuries, they said.
Ben Ford, the well-known
restaurateur and the actor's son, said on Twitter that his dad was
"battered, but OK" after the crash, which happened about 2:20 p.m. (5:20
p.m. ET).
"Harrison
was flying a WW2 vintage plane today which had engine trouble upon take
off. He had no other choice but to make an emergency landing, which he
did safely," Ford's publicist, Ina Treciokas, told NBC News by email
Thursday night.
"He was banged up and is
in the hospital receiving medical care," Treciokas said. "The injuries
sustained are not life threatening, and he is expected to make a full
recovery."
An eyewitness, Howard Teba, an employee at Penmar Golf Course, said he put a blanket under Ford's hip.
"There was blood all over his face," Teba said. "Two very fine doctors were treating him, taking good care of him."
Reuters
The plane, a single-engine
Ryan Aeronautical ST3KR, crashed on the golf course shortly after
takeoff from Santa Monica Airport, said Patrick Jones, an investigator
for the National Transportation Safety Board. The pilot reported a loss
of engine power, clipped the top of a tree and was trying to return to
the airport, Jones said.
"I'm sure the pilot was glad there was a golf course here," he said.
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