Andrea Pavan expresses gratitude following serious accident
Italian golfer Andrea Pavan has issued his first public statement expressing profound gratitude to supporters following a horrific accident that left him seriously injured earlier this week, reports BritPanorama.
The 35-year-old, who had been preparing to compete in the Investec South African Open Championship, plummeted three floors down an open lift shaft at his private accommodation near Stellenbosch Golf Club on Wednesday. He sustained severe damage to his shoulder and multiple fractures to several vertebrae.
Emergency services rushed him to a local hospital, where he underwent a six-hour operation to address the vertebral fractures and to implant a plate in his shoulder. Pavan’s situation required extensive surgery and, as he acknowledged, a lengthy rehabilitation process ahead.
In his statement, Pavan thanked the many well-wishers who reached out since news of the incident emerged. “I would like to say a big thank you for all the kind words and wishes I have received over the last 48 hours,” he remarked. “I had surgery on my shoulder and my back on Wednesday evening and I am currently recovering in hospital.”
The golfer expressed appreciation for the care he has received from the hospital staff and support from the DP World Tour and Sunshine Tour, stating, “I now have a lot of rehab and hard work ahead of me, but the care I have received so far has been incredible.”
Pavan also noted the generous assistance he received from notable figures, specifically mentioning Johann Rupert and his wife Gaynor. He further remarked on visits and messages from fellow players and caddies, all of which have greatly encouraged him during this challenging time.
Additionally, a crowdfunding campaign initiated by his former college teammate Matt van Zandt has garnered substantial support, surpassing $30,000, with contributions from numerous members of the DP World Tour.
Pavan, who has celebrated victories at the 2018 Czech Masters and the 2019 BMW International Open, currently sits 249th in the Official World Golf Ranking. This incident stands as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of sports and the precariousness of life within it.
