Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his family are unharmed after being involved in a plane crash Thursday in Tennessee.
Earnhardt's sister Kelley confirmed that a plane carrying the retired NASCAR driver, his wife Amy and their daughter Isla crashed near Bristol. She said the family and their two pilots were taken to a hospital but are "safe" after the incident.
"Everyone is safe and has been taken to the hospital for further evaluation," she wrote, in part, on Twitter. "We have no further information at this time. Thank you for your understanding."
I can confirm Dale, Amy & Isla along with his two pilots were involved in a crash in Bristol TN this afternoon. Everyone is safe and has been taken to the hospital for further evaluation. We have no further information at this time. Thank you for your understanding.
— Kelley Earnhardt (@EarnhardtKelley) August 15, 2019
WCYB later reported Earnhardt left the Johnson City Medical Center by police escort.
NBC Sports released a statement Thursday evening confirming Earnhardt will take some time off to recover.
"We're incredibly grateful that Dale, his wife Amy, daughter Isla, and the two pilots are safe following today's accident," the statement read. "After being discharged from the hospital, we communicated with Dale and his team, and we're all in agreement that he should take this weekend off to be with his family. We look forward to having him back in the booth next month at Darlington."
NASCAR also issued a statement wishing the family well.
NASCAR Statement: “We’re extremely relieved to learn that Dale, Amy, Isla and the pilots of the aircraft are safe, and we commend the first responders and medical staff for their quick action. We look forward to seeing Dale back at the race track very soon.”
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 16, 2019
WJHL was first to report the crash, with Elizabethton Fire Chief Barry Carrier confirming to the station that a plane carrying Earnhardt and his wife went down at Elizabethton Municipal Airport.
Carter County Sheriff Dexter Lunceford told the station Earnhardt had been taken to Johnson City Medical Center due to what was described as "cuts and abrasions."
BREAKING PHOTOS: Plane reportedly carrying Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his wife crashes in Elizabethton, Tennessee; both are believed to be okay following the crash - WJHL-TV pic.twitter.com/DpB7CSx4hg
— News Breaking LIVE (@NewsBreaking) August 15, 2019
VIDEO: Scenes from the Tennessee site where Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s plane crashed https://t.co/C5yM69h8pY pic.twitter.com/gV43yIeKeB
— Tennessean (@Tennessean) August 15, 2019
Elizabethton Airport manager Dan Cogan confirmed a private plane ran off the end of the runway and caught fire, but noted all passengers got out of the plane.
The airport is about 15 miles from Bristol Motor Speedway, the site of this weekend's NASCAR racing.