This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/entertainment/7542208.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Morgan Freeman in 'good spirits' Morgan Freeman in 'good spirits'
(about 4 hours later)
Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman is in "good spirits" after being injured in a serious car accident near his Mississippi home.Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman is in "good spirits" after being injured in a serious car accident near his Mississippi home.
Mr Freeman's spokeswoman says he has a broken arm, broken elbow and minor shoulder damage.Mr Freeman's spokeswoman says he has a broken arm, broken elbow and minor shoulder damage.
She said the 71-year-old Dark Knight star is expected to undergo surgery and to make a good recovery.She said the 71-year-old Dark Knight star is expected to undergo surgery and to make a good recovery.
The accident happened shortly before midnight on Sunday outside Charleston in the Mississippi Delta.The accident happened shortly before midnight on Sunday outside Charleston in the Mississippi Delta.
Mr Freeman's car ran off the side of the road and overturned several times, landing upright in a ditch.Mr Freeman's car ran off the side of the road and overturned several times, landing upright in a ditch.
Mr Freeman - who had been driving the car - and a female passenger were airlifted to Memphis's Regional Medical Center, about 90 miles (145km) north of where the accident occurred in Tallahatchie County.Mr Freeman - who had been driving the car - and a female passenger were airlifted to Memphis's Regional Medical Center, about 90 miles (145km) north of where the accident occurred in Tallahatchie County.
"He is having a little bit of surgery this afternoon or tomorrow to help correct the damage," his spokeswoman Donna Lee said. "He says he'll be OK and is looking forward to a full recovery," she added."He is having a little bit of surgery this afternoon or tomorrow to help correct the damage," his spokeswoman Donna Lee said. "He says he'll be OK and is looking forward to a full recovery," she added.
Earlier a spokesman at the hospital said the actor was in a "serious" condition.Earlier a spokesman at the hospital said the actor was in a "serious" condition.
'No freebies''No freebies'
Both the actor and the woman, Demaris Meyer of Memphis, had been wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident, said Mississippi Highway Patrol Sergeant Ben Williams.Both the actor and the woman, Demaris Meyer of Memphis, had been wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident, said Mississippi Highway Patrol Sergeant Ben Williams.
FREEMAN FACTS Born 1 June 1937, in Memphis, TennesseeHe spent several years in the US Air Force as a mechanicFreeman started acting in the 1960s, appearing a couple of off-Broadway showsHis first credited film appearance was in 1971's Who Says I Can't Ride a Rainbow!Freeman starred in some of the biggest films of the 1990s, including The Shawshank Redemption, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Se7en, and Deep ImpactHe won an Oscar in 2005 for the film Million Dollar BabyFreeman plays Lucius Fox in this summer's blockbuster, The Dark Knight (pictured)FREEMAN FACTS Born 1 June 1937, in Memphis, TennesseeHe spent several years in the US Air Force as a mechanicFreeman started acting in the 1960s, appearing a couple of off-Broadway showsHis first credited film appearance was in 1971's Who Says I Can't Ride a Rainbow!Freeman starred in some of the biggest films of the 1990s, including The Shawshank Redemption, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Se7en, and Deep ImpactHe won an Oscar in 2005 for the film Million Dollar BabyFreeman plays Lucius Fox in this summer's blockbuster, The Dark Knight (pictured)
"There's no indication that either alcohol or drugs were involved," he added. He said it was possible that the actor had fallen asleep at the wheel."There's no indication that either alcohol or drugs were involved," he added. He said it was possible that the actor had fallen asleep at the wheel.
Mr Freeman was conscious and talking at the scene, he said.Mr Freeman was conscious and talking at the scene, he said.
There were "no other vehicles or pedestrians involved", he said.There were "no other vehicles or pedestrians involved", he said.
An investigation into the accident is currently under way.An investigation into the accident is currently under way.
Clay McFerrin, editor of local newspaper the Sun-Sentinel, told the Associated Press news agency he had been at the scene on Mississippi Highway 32, not far from where Mr Freeman owns a home with his wife. Bill Rogers, who saw the accident happen and was first on the scene , told BBC 5 Live that driving conditions on Sunday night were difficult.
"He was lucid, conscious," Mr McFerrin said. "He was talking, joking with some of the rescue workers at one point." "We had a rain storm that had just passed and so the highway was wet," he said. "We were standing in water in the ditch."
When one person tried to take a photo with a mobile phone, Mr Freeman joked, "no freebies, no freebies," Mr McFerrin said. "When he became conscious Mr Freeman began asking the same questions over and over again: 'Was I speeding, can I lay on the ground? Is everybody okay?'" Mr Rogers added.
MechanicMechanic
Morgan Freeman is one of Hollywood's best loved and busiest actors, says the BBC's Rajesh Mirchandani in Los Angeles.Morgan Freeman is one of Hollywood's best loved and busiest actors, says the BBC's Rajesh Mirchandani in Los Angeles.
Morgan Freeman's business partner says the actor is in great painMorgan Freeman's business partner says the actor is in great pain
Mr Freeman won a best supporting actor Oscar for boxing drama Million Dollar Baby in 2005.Mr Freeman won a best supporting actor Oscar for boxing drama Million Dollar Baby in 2005.
He has twice been nominated in the leading actor category - for The Shawshank Redemption in 1995 and Driving Miss Daisy in 1990.He has twice been nominated in the leading actor category - for The Shawshank Redemption in 1995 and Driving Miss Daisy in 1990.
Last year it was announced the actor would play former South African president Nelson Mandela in forthcoming film The Human Factor.Last year it was announced the actor would play former South African president Nelson Mandela in forthcoming film The Human Factor.
His first credited film appearance was in the 1971 movie Who Says I Can't Ride a Rainbow!His first credited film appearance was in the 1971 movie Who Says I Can't Ride a Rainbow!
Prior to that, he had worked as a mechanic in the US Air Force.Prior to that, he had worked as a mechanic in the US Air Force.
His film appearances include Se7en, Unforgiven and the rebooted Batman franchise.His film appearances include Se7en, Unforgiven and the rebooted Batman franchise.