Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, 81, was seriously injured in a car accident in New Hampshire on Saturday night, his spokesman said.
Giuliani was hospitalized with a fractured vertebra and multiple cuts and bruises to his left arm and lower leg after his rental car was rear-ended, spokesman Michael Ragusa said Sunday, per the New York Post.
“Mayor Giuliani was flagged down by a woman who was a victim of domestic violence prior to the accident. He rendered assistance and contacted 911, remaining on scene until responding officers arrived to ensure her safety,” said Ragusa, Giuliani’s head of security. “The accident occurred after he re-entered his vehicle, which was then hit from behind at high speed.”
Ragusa said Giuliani, who served as mayor from 1994 to 2001, is recovering and in good spirits. “The mayor is in great spirits. He’s a beast. He survived 9/11,” Ragusa said. He stated that “America’s mayor” is expected to remain in a hospital near Manchester for another two or three days, after which he will wear a brace for his broken vertebrae.
Giuliani’s son Andrew told The Post, “Thank Goodness he’s doing OK. Andrew added: “Fractured vertebrae. More to come … Please keep him in your prayers,” Andrew said.
Maria Ryan, Giuliani’s business partner and a nurse practitioner, is overseeing his care. “He’s getting further tests and stabilization of his injuries,” she told The Post.