Harrison Ford in ‘fair to moderate’ condition after plane crash

Harrison Ford was involved in a plane crash earlier today. Photo: AFP

Ford’s son Ben tweeted that the actor is, ‘He is an incredibly strong man.’

Harrison Ford was hospitalised early this morning after crash landing a plane in Venice, California.

The 72-year-old actor crash landed on Penmar Golf Course after something went wrong mechanically with the single-engine plane at around 2.25pm. He was transferred to UCLA Hospital in Westwood where he was listed in "fair to moderate" condition, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Initially, reports from law enforcement officials described the actor's injures as "critical". Ford, who suffered multiple lacerations, was the only one aboard the plane that suffered a "medium to high impact" on the 8th hole of the golf course. No one else was injured.

The small plane owned by US actor Harrison Ford is seen after crashing at the Penmar Golf Course in Venice, California. Photo: AFP 

The actor's son, Ben Ford, tweeted from the hospital.

"Dad is ok. Battered, but ok!" he said. "He is every bit the man you would think he is. He is an incredibly strong man." 

Ford's representative issued a statement on the actor's condition later on Thursday clarifying that he is expected to make a full recovery.

"Harrison was flying a WW2 vintage plane today which experienced engine failure upon take off," said the statement. "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."

According to witnesses, Ford was able to walk away from the accident, and was later attended to by two physicians who were on the scene.

"There was blood all over his face," Howard Tabe, an employee at the Penmar Golf Course, told NBC News. "Two very fine doctors were treating him, taking good care of him. I helped put a blanket under his hip."

Peter Mayhew's Twitter page.

Ford is an avid pilot, with a license to fly helicopters and fixed-wing aircrafts, and has crashed-landed in the past. His Star Wars co-star, Peter Mayhew, wished the actor well on Twitter shortly after the news broke.

"Here's hoping my buddy comes away with just another scar to match his crooked smile," the actor who played Chewbacca said. "Speedy Recovery Harrison!"

Ford recently finished shooting Star Wars: The Force Awakens at London's Pinewood Studios. The Disney and LucasFilm sequel, which opens Dec 18, halted production for two weeks last summer after Ford broke his leg on set when he was reportedly struck by the door of the Millenium Falcon spaceship. He later underwent surgery and rehab to repair the badly injured leg. — Reuters