Harrison Ford Injured After Crashing Plane On Venice Golf Course [UPDATED]
Harrison Ford was injured crash-landing a small plane on a golf course in Venice this afternoon.
Ford, a longtime aviator, was piloting a vintage 2-seater fighter plane when something went awry and he crashed into Penmar golf course in Venice, according to TMZ. TMZ says that Ford suffered multiple gashes to his head and was bleeding. There happened to be two doctors nearby who rushed to treat him.
Initially, it was reported that Ford was critically injured in the crash (and we've updated our post accordingly). But a spokesman for the LAFD told reporters at a press conference that his injuries were moderate, and he was "conscious and breathing" when first-responders arrived.
Howard Tabe, an employee at the Penmar Golf Course, told NBC, "There was blood all over his face ... Two very fine doctors were treating him, taking good care of him. I helped put a blanket under his hip."
The Los Angeles Fire Department said there was only one occupant aboard the plane that crashed around 2:25 p.m. this afternoon, City News Service reports. No one else on the ground was injured. The crash happened not far from Santa Monica Airport.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.
Here are some photos from the scene:
Ground view of plane crash in Venice. @SaraWelchKTLA on scene; no confirmation on pilot ID http://t.co/kow1FF3uyP pic.twitter.com/xruGwydEHe
— KTLA (@KTLA) March 5, 2015
Update: Solo male occupant of plane that crashed hospitalized in critical condition http://t.co/kow1FF3uyP pic.twitter.com/VAsZtYcYnK
— KTLA (@KTLA) March 5, 2015
Plane goes down at Penmar Golf Course in Venice/Santa Monica. My neighbor @kohlab took this picture. @KPCC pic.twitter.com/pyh6nYlbGI
— Brian Watt 🎙💡 (@RadioBWatt) March 5, 2015
TMZ released video from the scene:
Ford's son tweeted out that Dad is just as strong as the heroes he plays in the movies: