Stirling Moss falls three floors down lift shaft

Motor racing veteran Sir Stirling Moss is in hospital today after breaking both ankles when he fell three floors down a lift shaft. (AFP)

Motor racing veteran Sir Stirling Moss is in hospital today after breaking both ankles when he fell three floors down a lift shaft.

The 80-year-old is recovering in a London hospital after surgery on both his feet following the accident at his Mayfair home on Saturday, a statement on his website said.

He also suffered four broken bones in his foot and four chipped vertebrae when the lift door opened at the wrong time and he stepped into the empty shaft.

Sir Stirling was taken to the Royal London Hospital in east London after the accident and yesterday was moved to one closer to his home where he had his operation.

Plates and pins were used to secure the bones in his ankles.

His wife Lady Susie Moss said: "This was a very unfortunate accident, it could have just as easily been another member of the family stepping into where the lift should have been."

It is expected that the former racing star, who won 16 grands prix between 1951 and 1961, will take up to six weeks to recover from his injuries.