CULLMAN, Ala. — Senator Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman) was airlifted to UAB Hospital in Birmingham on Thursday after a jet ski accident on Smith Lake. According to a statement from the Alabama State Senate, Gudger underwent surgery for internal bleeding and other injuries, and is now in the Intensive Care Unit. A statement from the Alabama Senate on Friday said that the senator's prognosis was good.
According to ALEA, the incident happened on Lewis Smith Lake on Thursday afternoon. Senator Garlan E. Gudger Jr. was hurt when his 2024 Sea-Doo GTI personal watercraft was struck from behind by a 2019 Sea-Doo GTI operated by his son, Garlan E. Gudger III.
The collision happened around 3:15 p.m. in the Little Crooked Creek area near Crane Hill and caused both men to be thrown into the water. They were both wearing personal flotation devices, which helped keep them afloat. Nearby bystanders assisted the pair out of the water and transported them to a dock. Garlan E. Gudger III was checked by local EMS and did not need further medical treatment.
Gudger’s wife, Heather, released the following statement on his behalf on Thursday night:
“From the first responders who were quickly on the scene to the members of the helicopter airlift unit to the doctors and nurses at UAB and everyone else who assisted during this accident, we offer our deepest thanks and recognition that each of them kept a difficult situation from being even worse.
To those across the state who have reached out and lifted up our family with their prayers of mending and comfort, we feel your support and know that God holds Garlan in his healing hands.
Everyone who knows Garlan is aware that he is a strong, tough, and energetic man who will recover from these injuries and continue serving the citizens of his district while promoting the conservative Alabama values that so many of us hold close.”