Italian professional golfer Andrea Pavan has been discharged from hospital days after accidentally falling down an empty lift shaft while staying in Stellenbosch ahead of the South African Open.
The 36-year-old fell three floors after stepping through open lift doors into the shaft. He was taken to a local hospital with serious shoulder and back injuries, including severe shoulder damage and fractures to several vertebrae. Surgeons operated on both his back and shoulder.
Less than a week after the accident, Pavan was well enough to leave hospital and continue rehabilitation at nearby accommodation arranged by the Rupert family. He described the progress as a small miracle, saying he can walk and begin basic activities again, although slowly and cautiously. He expressed deep gratitude to the Mediclinic medical team, the surgeons, nurses and everyone involved in his care.
Pavan also thanked the DP World Tour and Sunshine Tour staff who helped during the week, and the tour players and caddies who visited him in ICU while competing at the SA Open, calling their support like a family rallying around him.
Former team-mate Matt van Zandt launched a GoFundMe to help Pavan’s wife, Audra, and their three children with mounting medical costs. Professional colleagues, including Richard Mansell, Nacho Elvira and Jhonattan Vegas, have donated; the fundraiser has raised more than £61,000 so far.
Pavan warned the recovery is far from over: he will remain in South Africa for around five weeks to continue rehabilitation for his shoulder and back and to heal other bruises and secondary injuries, before returning to the United States to carry on with the longer recovery process.