Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen is recovering from serious but non-life-threatening injuries after being pulled from his horse, his office said Monday.
The incident happened when the Republican leader was riding a horse with family members near Columbus on Sunday.
The governor was thrown from a new horse, his office said. His injuries included “minor injuries to his groin and kidney, seven broken ribs, a partially collapsed lung due to damage to his ribs, and a small fracture to one of his vertebrae,” his office said. he said in an update on monday
“In short, the governor’s injuries were serious, but not life-threatening and could have been much worse,” the statement added.
UNITED STATES – JULY 18: Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen is seen at the Fiserv Forum during the final night of the Republican National Convention, Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Milwaukee, Wis. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Imag
Pillen, 68, was initially taken to Columbus Community Hospital before being sent to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha “as a precaution,” his office said earlier.
The governor is expected to remain in the hospital for a few days for observation and plans to work from his hospital room, his office said Monday.
“The governor looks forward to returning to his office soon after Christmas and wishes all Nebraskans a happy and safe holiday season,” his office said in a statement.
Pillen, who played football at the University of Nebraska under former head coach and representative Tom Osborne, took over in January 2023.
ABC News’ Darren Reynolds and Sasha Pezenik contributed to this report.
