Italian professional golfer Andrea Pavan has reportedly suffered serious injuries after falling down an elevator shaft in Stellenbosch, South Africa, where he was scheduled to compete in a DP World Tour event. According to reports from Swedish media outlets Expressen Sport and Sportbladet, the 36-year-old two-time DP World Tour champion fell approximately three floors when elevator doors opened but the elevator car was not present.
The accident occurred as Pavan was preparing for this week's golf tournament in Stellenbosch. Reports indicate he stepped forward when the elevator doors opened, only to fall down the empty shaft. He sustained multiple fractures and underwent surgery for six hours to address several spinal fractures and have a plate inserted in his shoulder.
Pavan is 'glad to be alive'
While the injuries are described as serious, they are reportedly not life-threatening. Italian media sources quoted by Sportbladet state that Pavan is "glad to be alive" and has been communicating with his children via Facetime. His former college coach, JT Higgins, told Golf Channel that Pavan is in good spirits and grateful to be alive.
The DP World Tour, formerly known as the European Tour, is currently holding its tournament in Stellenbosch. Pavan, who has won two titles on the tour, will not be able to compete following the accident. Several Swedish golfers including Sebastian Söderberg, Joakim Lagergren, Jens Dantorp, Marcus Kinhult, and Björn Åkesson are participating in the South African event.
Pavan is in good spirits and grateful to be alive