Former US Rep Allen West of Florida has been injured in a motorcycle crash in Texas on Saturday. The 59-year-old former congressman, who...
Former US Rep Allen West of Florida has been injured in a motorcycle crash in Texas on Saturday.
The 59-year-old former congressman, who is currently running to lead the Republican Party of Texas, was in stable condition after being airlifted to a hospital following the crash on Interstate 35 outside of Waco.
A post on his Facebook page said that West was riding his motorcycle when a car cut him off and caused him to collide with another motorcyclist.
President Donald Trump expressed his support for West in a tweet on Sunday morning, writing: 'Allen, get well soon!'
Former US Rep Allen West of Florida was injured in a motorcycle crash in Texas on Saturday
President Donald Trump expressed his support for West in a tweet on Sunday morning
The accident occurred as West was returning home from a Saturday morning rally at the Texas Capitol in Austin, former state Sen Don Huffines told the Dallas Morning News.
The 'Free Texas Rally' was focused on reopening the state amid the coronavirus pandemic.
West's team said both he and the other motorcyclist were transported to Baylor Scott and White hospital in Waco with non-life threatening injuries.
The politician suffered a concussion, several fractured bones and multiple lacerations.
The Facebook post quoted him as saying: 'I am alive by the grace of God.'
West's team said he plans 'to continue to be a proponent for freedom and the state of Texas, and will resume his normal calendar of activities as given clearance by his medical team'.
'LTC West thanks the public for their well-wishes and outpouring of support, and continued prayers on his behalf are appreciated,' the post said.
Trump and West are pictured together with Fox News host Greg Gutfeld at a fundraising event in Palm Beach, Florida, in 2014
The accident occurred as West was returning home from the 'Free Texas Rally' at the state Capitol on Saturday morning (pictured)
West is currently running for chair of the Republican Party of Texas
The politician promoted his appearance at the 'Free Texas Rally' on Facebook
West, a native of Atlanta, served in the US Army and retired as a lieutenant colonel.
He went on to serve one term in the US House of Representatives from January 2011 to January 2013 before moving from Florida to Texas.
In 2014 he called for his former congressional colleagues to impeach then-President Barack Obama over his move to swap five Taliban prisoners of war held by the US at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba for Sgt Bowe Bergdahl, an American prisoner of war.
West considered a run against US Rep Colin Allred (D - Dallas) last summer, but ultimately changed gears and launched a bid to unseat current Texas GOP Chairman James Dickey.
Dickey was among many on social media requesting prayers for West's recovery.
'I have just learned that Allen West has been in a motorcycle accident outside of Waco and is in the emergency room,' Dickey wrote in a statement on Facebook.
'I ask you to join me and my family in praying for him and his family.'
Texas Land Commissioner George P Bush also extended his condolences on Twitter, writing: 'Just heard news that @AllenWest was involved in a motorcycle accident near Waco this afternoon. Please join me in sending prayers for a quick recovery.'
Texas GOP Chairman James Dickey, whom West hopes to unseat in the next election, asked his followers to pray for the congressman in a Facebook post on Saturday evening
Texas Land Commissioner George P Bush also extended his condolences on Twitter
No comments