State Sen. Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman) was airlifted to UAB Hospital in Birmingham on Thursday after sustaining injuries in a jet ski accident on Smith Lake. While at UAB, he underwent a brief surgical procedure to address internal bleeding and incurred other injuries that doctors are monitoring.

The two-term senator is currently in the Intensive Care Unit following surgery, but physicians indicate that his prognosis for recovery is good.

Gudger’s wife, Heather, released the following statement on his behalf on Thursday night:

“From the first responders who were quickly on the scene to the members of the helicopter airlift unit to the doctors and nurses at UAB and everyone else who assisted during this accident, we offer our deepest thanks and recognition that each of them kept a difficult situation from being even worse.

To those across the state who have reached out and lifted up our family with their prayers of mending and comfort, we feel your support and know that God holds Garlan in his healing hands.

Everyone who knows Garlan is aware that he is a strong, tough, and energetic man who will recover from these injuries and continue serving the citizens of his district while promoting the conservative Alabama values that so many of us hold close.”

Grayson Everett is the state and political editor for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270