Italian golfer Andrea Pavan has been discharged from hospital days after falling down a lift shaft in South Africa.
The 36-year-old fell three floors after stepping through open lift doors into an empty shaft while staying in Stellenbosch ahead of the South African Open.
Pavan – a two-time DP World Tour winner – was rushed to a local hospital, where he was found to have significant injuries to his shoulder and back, including severe shoulder damage and fractures to several vertebrae.
He underwent back and shoulder surgery but has been deemed fit enough to leave hospital less than a week after the freak accident.
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‘A miracle to walk’
“Today was a big day. I got discharged from the hospital to continue my rehab at an accommodation nearby kindly set up by the Rupert family,” Pavan wrote on Instagram.
“It truly feels like a miracle to be able to walk and start to do some basic activities, although at a very slow and careful pace.
“I would like to thank all the Mediclinic staff – all the surgeons, nurses and everyone who has made this incredible recovery possible.
“Thank you to DP World Tour and Sunshine Tour, in particular Mateo, Ben, Joel and all the people who helped me over this last week. The DP World Tour players and caddies who came to visit me in ICU while playing the SA Open – it truly felt like a big family!”
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Andrea Pavan is a two-time winner on the DP World Tour
Former team-mate Matt van Zandt set up a GoFundMe page to support Pavan’s wife Audra and their three children with medical expenses.
It has seen professional golfers such as Richard Mansell, Nacho Elvira and Jhonattan Vegas donate, with over £61,000 raised.
“Thank you to all the friends, family, sponsors and people who reached out with messages and prayers and stepped in to help in all kinds of different ways,” Pavan added. “I am sorry I have not been able to get back to all of you yet, but my heart is overwhelmed with love and joy.
“God has answered many prayers; it truly feels like His hand is on my recovery.”
Despite his release from hospital, Pavan revealed he faces a five-week recovery period in South Africa before he is able to return to the United States.
“The road is very long, but this small step feels very good! I will need to stay in South Africa another five weeks to rehab both shoulder and back, heal other bruises and secondary injuries, and once back home continue the rehab journey.”
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