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Amy Van Dyken Rouen, a six-time Olympic swimming champion, has recently suffered a severed spine after a vehicle accident.

According to Swimming World Magazine, the accident happened over the weekend, when 41-year-old swimmer was driving an all-terrain vehicle in Show Low (180 miles east of Phoenix).

Van Dyken, who was reportedly not wearing a helmet, was thrown from the vehicle. She could not feel her legs and had trouble breathing. The witness who called 911 said that she called authorities after she ran to the van and found the swimmer unresponsive.

It was Van Dyken's husband--former National Football League player Tom Rouen--who kept her stable at the scene while they were waiting for emergency services.

"Amy's spinal cord was completely severed at the T11 vertebrae, but, miraculously, a broken vertebrae stopped within millimeters of rupturing her aorta, and she did not suffer any head trauma," said a statement by the family.

She was quickly airlifted to the Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center, where she had spine surgery. The hospital did not give a lot of information, except that Van Dyken is currently in good condition.

The swimming champion's family also said that after waking up post-surgery, Amy acted "like her typical spunky, boisterous, ebullient self and has spent the last 24 hours entertaining her family and her medical staff in the ICU."

Police said that alcohol was not a factor in the accident. No charges were filed.

USA Swimming has released a statement saying that they're happy that Van Dyken survived and is now under great care, and that she "is a champion who has proven throughout her life that she is a fighter who takes on challenges and comes out on top."

"We know Amy will tackle her rehabilitation with vigor and be back on her feet sooner rather than later," the statement added.