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Subscribe to RSSActor Gene Hackman was airlifted to a Florida hospital on Friday after being hit by a car as he was riding his bike in the Florida Keys.
Hackman's rep told TMZ that the 81-year-old actor "suffered bumps and bruises after a woman bumped him from behind in her vehicle," but that he is "fine" and has already been released from the hospital.
His rep also told E! News that the Oscar winner was airlifted to the hospital "for routine tests" because he was on an island when the accident occurred.
According to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, the accident happened just before 3 p.m. on the Old Highway in Tavernier, Fla. The impact knocked Hackman off of the bicycle.
The Floriday Highway Patrol is investigating the incident.
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The laws of physics care little for the concept of the 'right of way'....bikers....you take your lives into your own hands when you ride in traffic.....
Share the road buddy. There's going to be a lot more two wheel vehicles coming. Learn to be aware of them.
I don't care who has the "right of way" when I'm a pedestrian or biker, I yield to the 2000 pound juggernaut of steel rather than charge boldly forward, risking life and limb, trusting them to stop, because I have the "right of way."
That I was on the right side of the law would be cold comfort to my family at my funeral.
A 3500 lb vehicle trumps a bicycle on the highway... most of the time until you go to court. She'll pay...
Why was he airlifted for bumps and bruises?
MSpielman, it is easy to yield to the 2000lb juggernaut IF (big word) you see them. Trouble is, bikers must ride with the traffic in this country, not against it like pedestrians are supposed to walk.
Because, Travis, he is 81 years old! People at that age have pretty fragile bones and their skin tears very easily. Likely no one wanted to take chances that he might have endured more injuries than were obvious at the scene.
hmmm... usually its the 81 year old hitting the biker.
also, gene hackman is 81? Damn. I didn't realize.
SHE hit HIM from behind. He's not at fault!
The article says he was airlifted because he was on an island where the accident took place. People need to read articles before they post ignorant comments on said articles, especially when it's implied there's special treatment.
Travis and Marie...because he was on an island.
Glad you're okay Mr. Hackman. Many would be sad if you had been seriously hurt, or worse.
There is a Hospital less than 3 miles by road from where he was hit, but the County charges a small fortune for using its helicopter to airlift people to Miami. ka-ching, ka-ching!!
It was probably a Gene Hackman fan.....................
He's barry, barry special, and suppose to be better than the rest of society all because he acts and has money. Now the insurance company will have to pay big dollars for this old geezer's flight to the hospital.
Seriously people do you always have to look at the worst possible scenario? He is 81, he was hit from behind by a car, he was knocked off his bike....It wasn't special treatment use common sense and think before you show your lack of intelligence. How sad that you are so bitter as to think it was anything other then common sense treatment. We have trauma one hospitals here for accidents, ambulances will go there rather then the closest one, so possibly the hospital 3 miles away wasn't equipped for possible injuries that could happen with an 81 year old.
Get well soon Gene. Always enjoy your movies & hope I'm still bike riding when I'm 81 too!
I feel sorry for the woman who accidentally hit him. You don't mess with Lex Luther and get away with it! He'll probably send Popeye Doyle for the payback!
How can a driver not see a person riding a bike? Unless she was on her cell phone or texting? Stupid people. Get well soon Gene!!!!!
I can see you have not spent much time in Florida. Many aged drivers there cannot even see beyond the steering wheel. Cycling is risky in the land of retirees.
Many also don't noticed firetrucks and fail to yield. I have witnessed this on several occasions -- the drivers in the left lane just stay right in front of the firetruck while it's blaring and honking!
I just wonder how many people have died due to these people not allowing the firetruck to get to the fire.
These drivers are a danger to themselves and others and should not be allowed to drive.
Poor or downright dangerous driving is NOT restricted to those up there in years. How many teens,twenty-somethings and middle aged folks are as inept (or more so) than the oft criticized elderly?
Stupid has no minimum age requirement, it also doesn't have a cure.
Teens are inept due to lack of experience. The elderly don't have that excuse, since they are inept due to their age bringing age-related deficiencies.
I have a question for you: why do you provide blanket protection to this group? There clearly are members in it who are too old to drive. Do you excuse the 50,000 drivers in Florida who have dementia with this same line of reasoning?
My comment was specifying dangerous drivers. Why do you defend dangerous driving by saying "oh other people are dangerous too!"?
Take that Luthor!
But seriously, feel better soon.
No doubt this was one of those safer women drivers
Louie...don't be a troll. You're just posting this so people will pay attention to you. Grow up.
Guilty.
made me chuckle louie.
Louie, mom needs a walker, not a car. ;)
Who gets air lifted to a hospital for minor bumps and bruises ...Gene freakin' Hackman thats who
Somebody who is 81 and gets knocked off a bicycle will taken to a hospital.
read and comprehend he was airlift because he was on an island GET WELL GENE we love your work
Sounds like someone that has never been to the Keys. They have multiple hospitals. And I was saying it has a compliment. I would have given him a piggyback ride if I was there.
Because the Florida Key's private hospital organization is going to make about 20k off it. That's why he was airlifted. The well insured get amazing healthcare in this country at a very high price. The uninsured live in fear and massive debt if they actually have an emergency. You can probably charter a private helicopter for the day for about 500 bucks, but this 15 minute air ambulance ride is going to cost 25k.
I'm glad to hear its OK. We do not know what happened, he might have veered in front of the driver, or otherwise. It happens, and the most important thing is that injuries were not serious.
God I can't believe Gene Hackman is 81. Time sucks.
Can I PLEASE have my stapler back Lumbergh?
Hmmm... Getting "bumped by a car" while riding a bike can cause a lot of aches and pains.
I hope that Mr. Hackman has a speedy and full recovery!
get well Mr. Hackman, your acting sir, is a pleasure.
One of the greats - he was brilliant in Unforgiven
Housers too
"Well you sir are a cowardly son of a *****. You just shot an unarmed man!"
"Well he should have armed himself if he was going to decorate his saloon with my friend."
He was good in the pelican brief and those others you all mentioned but my favorite Gene Hackman movie was Mississippi burning the way he handled that guy who grabbed his tie .
He was good in almost everything he appeared in: consistently one of the three or four best American actors of his time. It's a shame that in our looks driven kiddie culture he was not the kind of guy to become a leading man.
Hopefully he rests in peace, though.
It's sad that he was done in like this. :(
boom! reason, where'd you get the idea that he'd died? He's fine and has been released from the hospital. Thanks for your "rest in peace" wish, but he won't need that for many years, I hope. :)
Anyone remember the car chase in the French Connection? One of the best!!! Get well Gene!!!
Hackman! Always a pro! After all--if you're going to ride your bike anywhere in the USA, let it be the Florida Keys!
Rock on, Gene!
When I am driving a car I try to be extra observant and extra polite to bicycles. That is a lot of work and they are helping the rest of us by reducing auto congestion. And a bike ride is so nice. Get well Gene!
Not a lot he could do about getting bumped from behind. The expectation is that someone would pass you without hitting you and go on. Dangerous riding a bike in the street regardless of who has the right of way.
I would be willing to guess that she was either talking or texting on her cell phone. When will the US make it illegal to talk or text on a cell phone unless its hands free! Also, as a driver and a cyclist, I know the importance of paying attention in both areas. I pay attention as a driver, and do not talk on my cell or text. I also pay attention as a cyclist because I know that every driver is not like me.
Or the obvious. Gene thought he was time-warped back to Hollywood and is entitled to the entire highway. All the cops and politicians had scampered out to close it down so he could pedal 2-4 mph and back up traffic for 20 miles for hundreds of people trying to get to work, pick up their kids, go to the hospital, pay their bills. All he was worried about was getting that Florida breeze fluffing up his tired, stretchy testicles as he pedal away at the speed of an ice glacier.
Or even the MORE obvious. She wanted his autograph and he wouldn't stop.
@gulf: Your post was very ugly and small-minded. Maybe you are suffering from cranial rectosis?
I'll never forget his roll in The Poseiden Adventure. HAckman is one of teh all time great actors.
Gene Hackman's one of those actors that's aged into being a masterpiece. If he makes a movie, I go see it, regardless of the subject matter. He's that good, as far as I'm concerned. His trademark "forced laugh" is something that's grown on me with each film he's made.
Gene, if you're out there reading these comments, please know there's bunches of us wishing you a speedy recovery and desiring a couple more films if you still have the energy. Love you, man!
Get well Gene-we need to see you in more films. Certainly one of the very best actors my or any other generation!
In our town the bikers frequently ignore the traffic rules and act as though the road was designed with them in mind and the cars are a great inconvenience to them.
If I am making a left turn on a left turn signal, it is not unusual for a biker in the oncoming straight through lane believe that the red light for cars does not pertain to him and that I must wait through my green light until he is done crossing the intersection. If I am making a right turn, it is not uncommon for a bike to sit in the middle of the lane and hold up all of the traffic until he can go straight through at the the next green. Although the cars can make a right on red, it would never occur to him to allow them to do so because he doesn't have to.
All I am saying is that the bikers are not always in the right.
Hopefully, you don't run them down because you're "in the right."
Giggle...nope, but I always imagine the rude ones on a rainy day right next to a large mud puddle...
If you are making a left hand turn on a left arrow and the cyclist comes through the intersection, the cyclist is in the wrong. But the reason for the cyclist "sitting" in the right hand lane is to prevent people like you driving cars from hitting him when they turn right. The cyclist has every right to be in that lane, assuming it is not a right turn ONLY lane. You would not expect a car in front of you to go through the red light so you could make your right hand turn, why do you expect the cyclist? Would you expect a motorcycle to get out of your way so you could make your right hand turn? The most common way for a cyclist to be hit is by an automobile turning right accross the path of the cyclist. Both cyclists and auto drivers should obey the laws and things would go much more smoothly. I drive a car AND ride a bike (although not at the same time).
Gave up bicycles along time ago. Cars , stray dogs , the weather no thanks but then again the keys is different. Elliptical machines are the way to go for exercise. No excuse can't sleep 2 Am no fancy shoes just turn on the Sirius channel on your dish TV and step on and on to your favorite tunes .
Gene Hackman, 81?!?! Amazing.
Gene you are my favorite living actor. The torch went to you after Jimmy Stewart died.
No one, but NO ONE was funnier ever than you were in the Birdcage... 'I don't understand -- you're Jewish?!?'... Bravo Gene and speedy recovery!
Another example of a distracted or inattentive driver who "didn't see" the cyclist...
when will riders and walkers learn to go at cars ? you are going to get hit sooner or later . unless you have eyes in the back of your head,
That is illegal in most states - bicyclists HAVE to ride by the same rules as if they were driving a car - and they have all the same rights as a car, too. Most people don't realize that because they never bothered to learn the law.
I'm just happy he is alright