Actor George Clooney Injured in Motorcycle Accident

Ray McDonald
September 24, 2007

George Clooney and a female companion were injured on September 21, when their motorcycle collided with a car on a narrow road across the Hudson River from New York City.

The 46-year-old actor suffered a broken rib and scrapes while his passenger, Sarah Larson, broke her foot in the 3:30 p.m. collision.

Clooney's spokesman Stan Rosenfield says both were treated and released from Palisades Medical Center in North Bergen, New Jersey. "He's doing fine," Rosenfield said. "He has a broken rib, it's very painful, and it'll take a long time to heal."

Clooney and Larson attempted to pass on the right of a 1999 Mazda that was preparing to make a right turn, said Weehawken police Sgt. Sean Kelly. Both were wearing helmets. It was not known whether the Mazda's driver, whose identity was not immediately released, used a turn signal. The accident is under investigation.

"It's a he-said, she-said right now, but you can't pass on the right in Weehawken or anywhere in Jersey," Kelly said. Rosenfield said the accident occurred when the car signalled for a left turn but instead turned right and clipped Clooney's motorcycle.

George Clooney was in the area filming the comedy Burn After Reading, co-starring Brad Pitt, John Malkovich, and Frances McDormand.

Rosenfield said Clooney's injury should not interrupt the production schedule. Clooney's next film, Michael Clayton, will be released in October. He and Larson have been seen together at recent film festivals and movie premieres.