Actor Harrison Ford Condition Improves After Crash-Landing On SoCal Golf Course

VENICE (CBS SF) -- Harrison Ford was injured when a small plane he was piloting crashed onto a Venice golf course Thursday, sending him to the hospital.

Paramedics transported the "Star Wars" and "Indian Jones" star in "critical condition" but the hospital later upgraded his injuries to "fair" to "moderate," and the actor was alert. He was talking with rescuers who got him out of the wreckage, according to witness tweets.

Harrison Ford's son, Ben Ford tweeted, "At the hospital. Dad is ok. Battered, but ok! He is every bit the man you would think he is. He is an incredibly strong man."

Late Thursday, Ford's publicist released this statement: "Harrison was flying a WW2 vintage plane today which stalled upon takeoff.  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."

Ford's small, yellow vintage plane crashed about 2:24 p.m. at Penmar Golf Course, 1233 Rose Ave., not far from the Santa Monica airport, according to Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Erik Scott.

Ford was the only person on board.

Mark Hamill tweeted he was "glad to hear Harrison is doing well.  Get well soon.  May all his future flights be green-screen."

One man tweeted that his mother helped the actor after he crashed on the hole where she was playing.

Another tweet includes Ford's original mayday call over the aviation radio. At approximately 20 minutes into the audio clip, a report of "engine failure" is heard, and air traffic control gives guidance on the emergency landing.

Ford got his big break in acting when George Lucas hired him to build cabinets at his home.  That turned into a friendship that led to a starring role in Star Wars.  The legendary director lives in Marin.

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• Harrison Ford
• California