Fiat heir Lapo Elkann recovering after major car crash

Lapo Elkann, one of the heirs of Italy's Agnelli family which founded auto giant Fiat, said Friday he was recovering in Switzerland following a serious car accident in Jerusalem.

The 42-year-old grandson of legendary former Fiat boss and jet setter Gianni Agnelli told Corriere della Sera newspaper that the crash occurred about 10 days ago when he was returning from the Western Wall.

He suffered multiple fractures and pulmonary lesions and underwent several operations.

Elkann said he could not remember how the crash happened as he lost consciousness but only that he was behind the wheel.

"I thank God for returning me to life," Elkann, who played a pivotal role in relaunching Fiat's iconic 500 model, told the newspaper.

"I pray for all those youths who I saw dying in Israel at my side in the emergency section, for friends who were close to me and for my family."