British racing legend Sir Stirling Moss is recovering in hospital following a shocking accident that saw him fall three floors down a lift shaft after attempting to step inside when the car was not present.
The 80-year-old suffered two broken ankles, four broken bones to his foot, skin aberrations and four chipped vertebrae after the accident at his Mayfair home, according to a statement on his website, which also says that he is now comfortable and recovering in hospital following surgery.
The statement says: “His immediate family were present with him at the time of the accident. Paramedics were called and he was taken to the Royal London Hospital.
“He remained conscious throughout. With the assistance of Professor Sid Watkins he was moved on Sunday to a hospital closer to his home where he underwent surgery on both his ankles, which were plated and pinned.
“The accident occurred as a consequence of falling down three floors in the lift shaft at his home.
“The door to the lift, that should have remained locked if the lift was not on the floor that it was called from, opened in error. He stepped into the narrow open shaft in the expectation that the lift would be present for him to walk into, as it should have been.”
Lady Moss said: “This was a very unfortunate accident; it could have just as easily been another member of the family stepping into where the lift should have been.”
Sir Stirling is expected to take up to six weeks to recuperate from the injuries. Many fans and industry figures have sent messages of support and his family has thanked everyone for those messages.