Andrea Pavan: Golfer's former college coach gives update after elevator fall

Andrea Pavan is reportedly "in good spirits" despite sustaining multiple serious injuries after falling down an elevator shaft. 

The 36-year-old was supposed to be teeing it up on the DP World Tour this week at the Investec South African Open Championship. 

But the Italian was involved in an horrific accident on Wednesday at his private accomodation near Stellenbosch Golf Club.

It is understood the lift doors opened but there were was no lift car in the shaft, causing him to tumble down. 

MondayQInfo, who first reported the story, said Pavan pressed the button, realised he had forgotten something from his room and, when he returned the elevator car had been called to another floor but the door had not been fully closed. 

He fell three stories and was trapped at the bottom for an extended period before help arrived, according to the publication. 

Pavan was rushed to hospital with significant injuries to his shoulder and back, including severe damage and fractures to several vertebrae.

Italian media have reported he has already undergone one major surgery which lasted six hours and will need ongoing care and additional procedures. 

Doctors expect him to remain in South Africa for several weeks, according to a GoFundMe page which has been set up to support his recovery. 

His former college coach, JT Higgins, also spoke briefly to Golf Channel and said Pavan is in a positive mood. 

"By all accounts, he's in good spirits, thankful to be alive and FaceTiming with his kids," he said. 

Pavan has eight professional victories to his name, including two on the DP World Tour. 

His most recent on the European circuit was the 2019 BMW International Open. 

He played collegiately at Texas A&M, where he was on the 2009 NCAA Championship team. 

Pavan has played in three majors, including last year's U.S. Open, where he missed the cut.

This season, Pavan owns a pair of top-15s, including a T-9 in Bahrain earlier this month.

GoFundMe set up 

A former team-mate of Pavan's, Matt van Zandt, has set up a fundraiser to help Pavan's wife Audra and their three children with medical bills.

Van Zandt said doctors expect Pavan to remain in South Africa for "many weeks before he can be safely evaluated for travel back to the United States".

A $100,000 goal has been set and, at the time of writing, has surpassed $30,000.

Professional golfers Manuel Elvira, Richard Mansell, David Puig and Jhonattan Vegas have already donated. 

You can donate here.