The NFL, Carolina Panthers and quarterback Cam Newton dodged a bullet today, as news surfaced of Panthers QB Cam Newton taken to hospital in Charlotte. Just after 12:30pm Eastern on Tuesday, police reported to the scene of an accident in which a truck had reportedly flipped up to four times after colliding with a sedan.
Newton was placed on a stretcher and taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Photos of the accident scene showed Newton’s truck flipped on its side, while a second photo shows Newton on the stretcher with his head and neck wrapped in protective padding to protect him from any further injury.
It sounded, however, as though the stretcher and ambulance were more precautionary than necessary. The Charlotte Observer captured several photos from the scene of the crash, some of which looked more serious than others. For instance, in one photo Newton looks downright casual propped-up on one elbow and smiling.
Cam Newton is conscious and smiling after crash in uptown Charlotte. pic.twitter.com/tx6R9qisSh
— Charlotte Observer (@theobserver) December 9, 2014
Charlotte authorities have not released the names of anyone else in the Cam Newton wreck, nor have they indicated the total number of vehicles involved. Initial reports mentioned Newton’s truck and a sedan, though the driver of the second vehicle has not been named.
It is also unclear whether any passengers were in either Newton’s truck or the other vehicle reportedly involved in the crash.
Newton’s wreck with another vehicle occurred on the S. Church Street Bridge at Interstate 277 during the lunch hour.
As the accident happened less than two hours ago, Charlotte police are still investigating the Cam Newton crash. There’s therefore no official word yet on what caused the wreck in uptown Charlotte. Several witnesses to the crash have told local media outlet WSOC that they saw Newton’s vehicle flip four times.
Newton has had an up-and-down season this year for the 4-8 Carolina Panthers, though he played well in last Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints. Newton threw three touchdowns and ran for another in the Panthers’ 41-10 rout of the Saints. Due to a weak NFC South, the Panthers are still in the playoff picture.
Newton’s availability for this Sunday’s road game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be announced once the hospital and team authorities give him the go-ahead to play as scheduled.
