World Aug. 05, 2008 - 06:23AM JST ( 7 )

MEMPHIS, Tenn —

Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman was in a “serious” condition in hospital on Monday after being involved in a car crash, authorities said.

The 71-year-old star, who won an Academy Award for his role in 2004’s “Million Dollar Baby,” was hospitalized after the crash late Sunday near Ruleville, Mississippi.

Details of Freeman’s condition and injuries were unclear, however a spokesman for the Memphis Regional Medical Center described them as “serious.” The condition of a passenger traveling with the actor was unknown.

“Mr. Freeman is listed in serious condition but we have no information on the condition of his passenger,” hospital spokeswoman Kathy Stringer said.

The Los Angeles Times quoted a source close to Freeman as saying the actor was nursing broken bones but “resting comfortably.”

“He broke his shoulder and arm, but he’s doing OK. He’s already laughing and joking around with the nurses,” the source was quoted as saying.

Freeman, who is currently starring in Batman blockbuster “The Dark Knight” was hospitalized after the car he was driving went off the road and flipped several times reports said, citing the Mississippi Highway Patrol.

Freeman and his passenger were airlifted to hospital.

Freeman won the statuette for best supporting actor for his role as former boxer Eddie “Scrap-Iron” Dupris in Clint Eastwood’s boxing drama “Million Dollar Baby,” and is famous for his authoritative, calm voice that has been used to narrate documentaries and commercials as well as film roles.

Freeman is currently working on another collaboration with Eastwood, “The Human Factor,” where he is due to play former South African president Nelson Mandela in a film based on the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

Wire reports