Incident Overview
In a shocking incident, Italian golfer Andrea Pavan suffered severe injuries after plunging down an elevator shaft in Stellenbosch, South Africa. As reported by multiple sources, including Golf Channel, Pavan, who had been staying near Cape Town, encountered an unfortunate mishap when the elevator doors opened unexpectedly, revealing that the car was absent.
Emergency Response and Medical Treatment
Emergency services rushed the 36-year-old to the hospital, where he underwent surgery Wednesday night to address back and shoulder injuries sustained during the fall, which reportedly spanned three stories.
Tournament Withdrawal
Initially set to participate in the South African Open starting Thursday, Pavan has since officially withdrawn from the tournament due to his condition. While the European tour has not disclosed specific details about his injuries in adherence to medical privacy protocols, they confirmed that he was unable to compete.
Recovery and Community Support
Despite the severity of his accident, Pavan is said to be in good spirits, remaining grateful for his survival and maintaining contact with loved ones via video calls. According to J.T. Higgins, his former coach at Texas A&M, Higgins expressed relief at Pavan’s attitude, relaying that although their communication has been limited, he received updates on the golfer’s recovery.
Career Highlights
Pavan is known for his achievements in the sport, having secured two victories on the European tour, with his latest triumph being a thrilling playoff against Matt Fitzpatrick at the 2019 BMW International Open.
Conclusion
The golfing community watches closely as Pavan embarks on his journey to recovery following this traumatic event.
