Sen. Garlan Gudger airlifted to UAB Hospital after jet ski accident

ALABAMA ( WHNT ) — Sen. Garlan Gudger sustained internal injuries after a jet ski accident on Smith Lake.

The accident took place on Thursday at Smith Lake, where he was then airlifted to UAB Hospital in Birmingham to undergo a short surgical procedure. He suffered internal bleeding and other injuries that doctors are monitoring.

The senator is currently in the Intensive Care Unit, but physicians say he is on track for a good recovery.

Gudger’s wife, Heather, released the following statement on his behalf Thursday night:

“From the first responders who were quickly on the scene to the members of the helicopter airlift unit to the doctors and nurses at UAB and everyone else who assisted during this accident, we offer our deepest thanks and recognition that each of them kept a difficult situation from being even worse.

To those across the state who have reached out and lifted up our family with their prayers of mending and comfort, we feel your support and know that God holds Garlan in his healing hands.

Everyone who knows Garlan is aware that he is a strong, tough, and energetic man who will recover from these injuries and continue serving the citizens of his district while promoting the conservative Alabama values that so many of us hold close.”

Heather Gudger

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