Kevin Hart has spoken out for the first time since undergoing surgery after suffering an accident.
The American comedian revealed in the video shared to Instagram that his “world was changed forever” following the accident.
“I was involved in an accident. My world was forever changed,” read text at the beginning of the video.
The actor was travelling as a passenger in a 1970 Plymouth Barracuda when it crashed down an embankment above Malibu in the early hours of 1 September. The accident left him with major injuries and he had to undergo surgery. The driver of the car, Jared Black, 28, and his fiancee Rebecca Broxterman, 31, were also seriously injured in the crash.
Hart says the crash was God’s way of telling him to “sit down”.
He said in the emotional video: “Basically you realise you’re not in control. No matter how much you think you’re in control, you’re not in control. And at the end of the day it can all be over.”
In the video, Hart is seen mostly wearing a back brace. It also shows Hart’s intensive rehabilitation and recovery in the two months since the crash.
In a part of the video, the 40-year-old can be seen wearing a hospital gown and oxygen mask, while being helped to his feet by two nurses. The video also shows Hart undergoing physical therapy, and having oil applied to the scars in his back.
Hart said the accident was a “message from God”, adding: “Life is funny, because some of the craziest things that happen to you end up being the things that you needed most.
“In this case I feel that God told me to sit down. When you’re moving too fast and doing too much, sometimes you can’t see the things you’re meant to see.”
He says the accident has given him a whole new perspective on life.
“After my accident, I see things differently… My appreciation for life is through the roof,” he said.
Hart is seen in the video, spending precious time with his three kids and kissing his wife. He also thanked his family, friends and fans in the video.
He said: “I’m thankful for my family, my friends, for the people who simply ride with me and have been with me, because you stood by me. My fans – thank you for all of your love and support.”
He goes on to advise his viewers, saying: “Don’t take today for granted, because tomorrow’s not promised. More importantly, I’m thankful for God, I’m thankful for life, I’m thankful for simply still being here. The road to being a bigger and better me. I’m looking forward to an amazing 2020.”
In the video, Hart is also seen talking to a team of doctors, who tell him it will take around one year for him to fully recover.
Hart adds: “I’m not in a rush. I’m thankful for simply still being here.”
He explains that he sees his recovery as “the road to being a bigger and better version of me”, going on to say he’s “looking forward to an amazing 2020”.
Watch the video below.
