SUPERSTAR HURT IN A TIGER TRAP
SARAH BLAKE
A “CALM and lucid” Tiger Woods appeared to be in shock and was unaware he had suffered horrific leg injuries when he rolled his luxury car multiple times off a Los Angeles highway. According to the first police officer to arrive at the site, where the golf legend was trapped inside his Genesis SUV, there was “no sign of impairment’’ from drugs or alcohol when responders used the jaws of life and an axe to remove him from the crumpled wreckage.
The golfer was “lucky to be alive” after the single-person crash, which happened when his loaned luxury car hit a median strip on a Los Angeles hillside and rolled for “several hundred feet’’.
Woods had reportedly been driving “very fast” from his nearby hotel shortly before the crash and had been “agitated and impatient” with a valet because he was running late for an appointment about 7am on Tuesday, local time.
The 45-year-old was recovering at a UCLA medical centre on Wednesday after surgery.
Chief Medical Officer at the Harbor-UCLA facility, Dr Anish Mahajan, said: “Mr Woods suffered significant or
thopaedic injuries to his right lower extremity’’.
“Comminuted open fractures affecting both the upper and lower portions of the tibia and fibula bones were stabilised by inserting a rod into the tibia,’’ Dr Mahajan said.
“Additional injuries to the bones of the foot and ankle were stabilised with a combination of screws and pins.
“Trauma to the muscle and soft-tissue of the leg required surgical release of the covering of the muscles to relieve pressure due to swelling.
“He is currently awake, responsive and recovering in his hospital room.’’
Authorities said speed was likely a factor in the accident, which occurred in an upscale neighbourhood notorious for crashes. Police said Woods’ vehicle travelled “several hundred feet’’ and rolled several times before coming to rest on its side.
Authorities said Woods spoke to his rescuers, who arrived at the scene within minutes. He showed “no signs of impairment” but was not tested for drugs and alcohol, according to Chief Daryl Osby of the LA County Fire Department.
Los Angeles County Sheriff
Alex Villaneuva said Woods was driving a large, loaned 2021 Genesis SUV when he appeared to lose control.
“That area has a high frequency of accidents, it’s not uncommon,” said Sheriff Villaneuva, adding that initial evidence showed there were “no skid marks, no braking”.
“So apparently the first contact was with the centre median, and from there it crossed into the opposing lane of traffic, hit the kerb, hit a tree and there were several rollovers during that process. It was several hundred feet away so that indicates they were going at a relatively greater speed than normal.”
Chief Osby said Woods was “extricated” from the crash through the car windscreen by firefighters using a halligan tool and an axe.
Deputy Carlos Gonzalez, the first officer at the accident, said Woods was “lucky to be alive”.
“He was able to speak to me. He seemed calm and lucid. I kept Mr Woods calm until the LA County fire department arrived on the scene,” he said.
“He told me his name was Tiger, and at that point I immediately recognised him.’’
FIRST Nations people are backing the building of the state’s first six-star eco-tourism resort.
Jabree Ltd, the authorised indigenous body representing South Stradbroke First Nation peoples, has entered into an agreement under the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act, paving the way for the development on South Stradbroke Island.
The project on the former McLaren’s Landing site, proposed by Pandana Capital Pty Ltd, will feature 40 “ecofriendly luxurious glamping tents” and a boomerangshaped pool.
Centre for Indigenous Policy director Wesley Aird acknowledged the clearance was the essential first step in Pandana Capital’s quest to secure state government and council approvals.
“The Cultural Heritage Report for Pandana is one of the more significant assessments that Jabree has produced in over 10 years of practice,” Mr Aird said. “We’re also enthused with Pandana’s further plans to work closely with Jabree in creating indigenous interpretative and tourism opportunities at the destination. Such a genuine involvement of First Nation peoples would provide this nature-based tourism facility with bona fide credentials, nationally and internationally.
“Speaking personally, my broader family has had a long association with South Straddie and I’m confident Pandana
will steward these leasehold lands with dignity, care and respect.”
Council planning chair Cameron Caldwell said council welcomed the application for a new, high-quality ecotourism offering.
“It’s a sign of confidence in our city that the private sector is showing interest in pursuing such projects,” Cr Caldwell said.
“As a city we need to continually improve and diversify our tourism offering and ecotourism is a sector of the market we want to embrace.” Cr Caldwell said the island had limited opportunities for commercial activities and this was one of the few designated sites.
The council would undertake a “thorough assessment of the application” which the Bulletin understands could take six months.
“The previous tourism operation closed and the site has become derelict, and I know that the applicant has an improved environmental outcome at the top of their mind,” Cr Caldwell said.