Woods refuses to meet police over crash
Tiger Woods refusing to meet Florida state police over car crash outside his house on Friday
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By Darren Estwick. |  |
Monday, 30, Nov 2009 09:41
By Matthew Champion.
Tiger Woods cancelled a meeting with Florida state police for a third time on Sunday after hitting out at "false, unfounded and malicious rumours" surrounding his car crash.
In a statement on his official website the 33-year-old said Friday's collision was a "private matter".
Initial reports on Friday said the world's number one golfer had sustained serious injuries when his Cadillac SUV struck a fire hydrant then a tree outside his house in a luxury suburb of Orlando, Florida.
In Sunday's statement the 14-time major winner said he suffered some cuts and a bruised ego.
Woods explained that no other vehicle had been involved in the crash and that it had been his fault alone, as well as praising the actions of his wife Elin Nordregen who reportedly used a golf club to smash the rear windshield of the car in order to drag her husband out on to the front lawn.
"This situation is my fault, and it's obviously embarrassing to my family and me," he said.
"I'm human and I'm not perfect. I will certainly make sure this doesn't happen again.
"This is a private matter and I want to keep it that way. Although I understand there is curiosity, the many false, unfounded and malicious rumours that are currently circulating about my family and me are irresponsible.
"The only person responsible for the accident is me. My wife, Elin, acted courageously when she saw I was hurt and in trouble. She was the first person to help me. Any other assertion is absolutely false.
"This incident has been stressful and very difficult for Elin, our family and me. I appreciate all the concern and well wishes that we have received. But, I would also ask for some understanding that my family and I deserve some privacy no matter how intrusive some people can be."
But the statement has done little to extinguish the rumours swirling around the crash, added to by the release of a neighbour's 911 call on Friday night.
Florida state police have had requests for meetings with Woods turned down three times for various reasons.
Woods is not obliged to give a statement on the crash, he must only present his license, registration and proof of insurance.