Italian golfer Andrea Pavan has been discharged from hospital five days after falling down a lift shaft in South Africa.
The 36-year-old was in Stellenbosch ahead of the South African Open when he fell three floors after going through an open lift door into an empty passageway.
Pavan, a two-time DP World Tour winner, was rushed to a local hospital, where he was found to have suffered serious injuries to his shoulder and back, including a serious shoulder injury and multiple vertebral fractures.
He underwent back and shoulder surgery but was deemed healthy enough to be discharged less than a week after the freak accident.
‘Walking miracle’
“Today was a really big day. I was discharged from hospital to continue my rehabilitation in nearby accommodation kindly provided by Rupert’s family,” Pavan wrote on Instagram.
“It feels truly miraculous to be able to walk and begin basic activities at a very slow, careful pace.
“I would like to thank all the Mediclinic staff, all the surgeons, nurses and everyone who made this amazing recovery possible.
“Thank you to the DP World Tour and Sunshine Tour, especially Mateo, Ben, Joel and everyone who helped me over the past week. The DP World Tour players and caddies who visited me in the ICU while playing the SA Open – it really felt like one big family!”
Andrea Pavan is a two-time winner of the DP World Tour.
Former teammate Matt van Zandt set up a GoFundMe page to help with medical expenses for Pavan’s wife Audra and their three children. It has seen professional golfers such as Richard Mansell, Nacho Elvira and Jhonattan Vegas donate.
“Thank you to all my friends, family, sponsors and people who reached out with messages and prayers and helped in so many ways,” Pavan added. He continued, “I’m sorry I can’t repay you yet, but my heart is overflowing with love and joy.
“God has answered many prayers. I truly feel like His hand is on my recovery.”
Despite being released from the hospital, Pavan said he would have to undergo a five-week recovery period in South Africa before returning to the United States.
“The road is very long, but these small steps feel great! I have to stay in South Africa for another five weeks to rehab my shoulder and back and treat other bruises and secondary injuries before returning home to continue my rehabilitation journey.”
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