Tiger Woods car crash: Golfer in surgery with 'multiple injuries' - latest news

• Tiger Woods in surgery after being pulled from vehicle

• Update on golfer's injuries expected shortly

• Oliver Brown: Woods' hard-won peace has been blown to smithereens

Tiger Woods has suffered serious injuries in a car crash and was pulled from the wreckage by firefighters in Los Angeles on Tuesday morning.

Woods is undergoing surgery for multiple injuries after his vehicle rolled over and police said he was cut from the car with an axe.

Early reports suggested that the golfer has broken both legs and was in the operating theatre. Los Angeles County sheriff’s department told local media that Woods' injuries were "non life-threatening".

The accident happened at 7.12am (3.12pm UK time) and Woods was on his own. Overhead images showed the bonnet had caved in and that the airbag had been inflated. Police said Woods was driving at "greater than normal speed".

Follow the latest updates below.

11:23 PM

Woods 'travelling at greater than normal speed'

Police have suggested that Tiger Woods was travelling at a "greater than normal speed" before his car crashed in Los Angeles on Tuesday morning.

They also told reporters that Woods was found conscious and was not "impaired" at the time of the crash.

11:02 PM

Press conference begins...

The press conference led by the LA County sheriff is starting now. We are expecting details of Woods' injuries and condition.

10:52 PM

Woods 'was conscious' when police arrived at scene

A spokesman for the Los Angeles County sheriff's department has said that the crash occurred near the hilly Palos Verdes peninsula, which is at the bottom of a steep stretch of road which has runaway truck ramps for vehicles that lose control going downhill, and is notorious for fatal accidents.

"It's a steep grade where you can pick up substantial speed," sheriff spokesman Michael White told local news reporters. "And he was headed downhill at the time."

"I believe he was conscious" when deputies arrived at crash, Mr White added.

10:38 PM

In pictures: Police clear the scene

Police and officials in Los Angeles County are beginning to clear the scene, carrying away debris from the wrecked car and working to reopen the road.

10:31 PM

Sporting greats tweet their support

America's sporting greats have been tweeting messages of support, including boxer Mike Tyson and basketball legend Earvin 'Magic' Johnson.

10:23 PM

Second crash as vehicle hit after stopping to help Woods

Officials have revealed that there was a second crash when a vehicle that had apparently stopped to help Woods was hit.

Christopher Thomas, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Fire Department said that wreck was minor, and no one was hurt.

Woods crashed on a two-lane road that curves through upscale suburbs, and the northbound side that he was driving on drops steeply enough that signs warn trucks to use lower gears. The speed limit is 45mph.

The cause of the crash is still not clear but a helicopter showed the car on its side, with its front end heavily damaged just off the side of a road near a hillside.

09:54 PM

Woods accident is grisliest misfortune

While nobody can legislate for accidents of this nature, Woods, at 45, has reached an age where he hoped to have left his worst dramas behind, chief sports writer Oliver Brown says.

Read more: Oliver Brown: Tiger Woods hoped to have left his worst dramas behind but his hard-won peace has been blown to smithereens

09:48 PM

Practice partner Thomas in tears

Justin Thomas, Tiger Woods' neighbour and practice partner, was in tears when asked about his friend.

“Man, I just hope he's all right,” the world No 3 told a press conference at an event in Tampa, Florida.

09:39 PM

Woods's history of driving incidents

In 2009, Woods smashed his car into a tree and a fire hydrant outside his luxury Florida home, sparking a series of scandalous revelations that led to the end of his marriage and harmed his reputation.

He divorced his wife, Elin Nordegren, with whom he has two children, after a number of women claimed they had affairs with the golfer.

In May 2017, Woods was arrested near his Jupiter Island home in Florida after he was asleep at the wheel of his car in a traffic lane. He had taken a mixture of prescription drugs.

Woods pleaded guilty to reckless driving and was fined and ordered to carry out community service.

09:31 PM

Trump: 'Get well soon, Tiger'

Donald Trump, who awarded Tiger Woods the Medal of Freedom in 2019, has issued a statement.

The former US president said: “Get well soon, Tiger. You are a true champion!”

09:26 PM

'Hoping and praying you’re OK my friend'

News of the crash has shocked the world of golf.

Justin Thomas, a neighbour and regular practice partner of Woods, was in tears.

“I'm sick to my stomach,” the world No 3 said. “You know, it hurts to see one of your closest friends get in an accident. Man, I just hope he's all right. Just worry for his kids [Charlie 13 and Sam, 11]. I'm sure they're struggling."

English golfer Ian Poulter said on Twitter: "Thoughts are with @TigerWoods and others involved, wishing a speedy recovery and I hope the injuries are not bad."

09:22 PM

Pictures from the scene

There are images emerging from the scene which show Tiger Woods's car flipped on its side and severely damaged.

09:20 PM

Tiger Woods in hospital - what we know

• Tiger Woods has suffered serious injuries in a car crash and was pulled from the wreckage by firefighters

• The crash happened at 7.12am on Monday in Ranchos Palos Verdes, a district south of Los Angeles

• Woods is in hospital undergoing surgery for multiple injuries

• Early reports suggest he has broken both legs but authorities said his injuries were "non life-threatening"

• Woods was on his own in the car