Lyle Lovett trampled by bull

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Mar 28, 2002 | Country singer Lyle Lovett faces months of rehabilitation following surgery to repair his right leg, broken when he was trampled by a bull while trying to help an uncle who had just been flipped by the animal.

Lovett, 44, was injured on his uncle's farm in suburban Houston on Wednesday, the Tomball Regional Hospital said in a release. A bull flipped Lovett's uncle, Calvin Klein, 67, and Lovett was trampled while going to Klein's rescue.

Lovett underwent surgery on his lower right leg to reconstruct the bone, which was broken in several places, said Memorial Hermann Hospital spokeswoman Beth Sartori. She said Lovett was in good condition.

Dr. Kevin Coupe, who performed the surgery, said Lovett may remain in the hospital for three days and a full recovery may take at least six months.

Coupe told the Houston Chronicle in Thursday's editions that 20 pieces of bone were broken in Lovett's leg, including nine major bone fragments that had to be put back together.

Klein, no relation to the designer, was taken to Tomball Regional and later released.

Lovett's spokesman, Vance Knowles of InKlein Productions, didn't immediately return a call for comment.

Lovett's hits include "If I Were The Man You Wanted" and "San Antonio Girl." He won his first Grammy in 1989 for his album, "Lyle Lovett and his Large Band." Three more Grammy wins followed. Lovett also made headlines for a whirlwind courtship and 21-month marriage to actress Julia Roberts.

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