Variety reports that 72-year-old actor Harrison Ford has been seriously injured in a plane crash. Ford, who is an avid pilot and has apparently crashed more than once in the past—all relatively minor incidents—was rushed to the hospital after his vintage two-seater fighter plane crashed into a golf course in Venice, California earlier today. He reportedly walked away from the crash, and was treated for head injuries by two doctors who happened to be at the scene.
UPDATE: NBC reports that the injuries, which included head lacerations and possible fractures, while originally described as “critical,” are “better characterized as serious.” We’ll update with more details as they come.
UPDATE, 6:07 p.m.: The Guardian reports that the cause of the crash was mechanical failure of the plane, a Ryan PT-22 Recruit.
UPDATE, 6:35 p.m.: Ford’s condition has been updated to “stable” by the Los Angeles Police Department. The Los Angeles Fire Department also says Ford was “alert, conscious and breathing” leaving the scene of the crash. We’d prefer “totally fine,” but this is welcome news nonetheless.
UPDATE, 9:14 p.m.: Harrison Ford’s son, Ben Ford, has chimed in on Twitter with a reassuring update:
At the hospital. Dad is ok. Battered, but ok! He is every bit the man you would think he is. He is an incredibly strong man.
— Chef Ben Ford (@ChefBenFord) March 6, 2015
Ford’s agent, UTA, has also released a statement, saying, “Harrison was flying a WW2 vintage plane today which suffered engine failure upon take off. He had no other choice but to make an emergency landing, which he did safely. He was banged up and is in the hospital receiving medical care. The injuries sustained are not life threatening, and he is expected to make a full recovery.”