Senator Gudger injured in jet ski accident on July 4th

Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, was flown by helicopter to UAB Hospital after a jet ski accident on Smith Lake on Thursday.

According to a press release from the Alabama Senate, Gudger was in intensive care late Thursday night after undergoing “a brief surgery to treat internal bleeding.” He sustained additional injuries that are currently being monitored.

Gudger is in his second term in the Alabama Senate. He is chairman of the Committee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development.

His wife, Heather Gudger, thanked the first responders and medical staff who helped Gudger.

“…We want to express our deepest thanks and appreciation for each of them preventing a difficult situation from becoming even worse,” Heather Gudger said in a statement.

“To everyone across the state who has supported our family with their prayers for recovery and comfort, we feel your support and know that God holds Garlan in his healing hands. Anyone who knows Garlan knows that he is a strong, tough and energetic man who will recover from these injuries and continue to serve the citizens of his district while promoting the conservative Alabama values ​​that so many of us hold dear.”

Further details of the accident were not initially known late Thursday evening.