Ashley Judd praises South African hospital's care after 'catastrophic' accident
Actress Ashley Judd is singing South Africa's praises after receiving treatment at one of the country's hospitals following an accident that almost cost her a leg.
A traumatic experience in the Congo rainforest almost ended with Ashley Judd losing her leg, but doctors at Sunninghill Hospital in Sandton were able to treat the actress without having to do an amputation.
The 'Double Jeopardy' star was flown to the hospital's ICU trauma ward after she shattered her leg in four places.
She had tripped over a fallen tree in the dark while tracking bonobos in a remote part of Congo.
Ashley told The New York Times columnist, Nicholas Kristof, that she suffered "massive catastrophic injuries".
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The 52-year-old had to lie on the rainforest's floor for five hours before she could be evacuated.
Fifty-five hours after the accident, she was transported to Sunninghill Hospital for treatment as health officials in the remote part of Congo where she was staying were not equipped to deal with her injuries.
Doctors discovered that her leg had no pulse and sprung into action. Ashely is grateful for the care she received.
"Thank you to the people of South Africa and in particular thank you to the nursing staff," she said from her hospital bed.
Ashley had been hard at work in the DRC trying to help endangered bonobos before the accident. She has been visiting the country's rainforest for years.
The actress spoke about her love for the work she does in the area.
"We have a small research Camp. I am accustomed to being there. I am a woman of the wilderness, as you know. Accidents do happen. I struck something in the dark and fell.
She also spoke about "what it means to be Congolese in extreme poverty with no access to health care, any medication for pain, any type of service, or choices."