Morgan Freeman is getting a divorce from his wife of 24 years, according to US reports.

The announcement comes just days after the actor survived a life-threatening car crash with another female passenger.

His lawyer told US TV programme Access Hollywood that the actor and wife Myrna Colley-Lee 'are involved in a divorce action'.

Over: Morgan Freeman and wife Myrna are divorcing after 24 years

Companion: Demaris Meyer was with the actor when the accident happen

Bill Luckett who is Freeman's Mississippi-based attorney and business partner confirmed that the pair have been separated 'for legal and practical purposes' since December 2007.

The 71-year-old actor was involved in a serious car accident in Mississippi three days ago in which his car flipped several times.

He was driving a 1997 Nissan Maxima belonging to a 48-year-old woman named Demaris Meyer, who was described as the veteran actor's friend.

The crash occurred late at night just four miles from the actor's ranch near Charleston.

The couple were airlifted to hospital in Memphis where Freeman was treated for several broken bones.

Miss Meyer, who works for Fed Ex, was able to leave hospital without any serious injury.

The crash took place at 11.30pm on Sunday night on the Mississippi Highway in the rural area of Tallahatchi County.

After the car veered off the road it flipped and landed in a ditch. Hydraulic equipment had to be used to cut Freeman and Miss Meyer free from the wreckage.

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Mangled wreckage: The horrific car crash scene which left Morgan Freeman and his female injured over the weekend

After Freeman arrived at the Regional Medical Center in Memphis he underwent surgery after suffering a broken arm, broken elbow and minor shoulder damage in the crash.

Freeman’s car appeared to have gone airborne from the highway into a ditch in the wet road conditions.

The accident is currently under investigation, but no alcohol was involved. A spokesperson for Mississippi Highway Patrol confirmed that no charges have been filed against Freeman.

Freeman won an Oscar for his work in 2004’s Million Dollar Baby.

The veteran actor owns a home in Charleston, and is also a co-owner of a blues club and a restaurant in Clarksdale, Miss., which is near where the accident took place.

Freeman’s spokesman Donna Lee said: ‘Morgan is doing well after his surgery to reconnect nerves and repair damage in his left arm and hand.

‘He’s up and walking around and looking forward to his release in a few days.’

Freeman, who won an Oscar for best supporting actor in Million Dollar Baby in 2005, appears in the latest Batman film, The Dark Knight, which was released two weeks ago.

He married Miss Colley-Lee in 1984. They live in a 126-acre ranch near Charleston and also have a home in New York.

He has a daughter, Morgana, from his previous marriage to Jeanette Bradshaw, which ended in 1979, during which he adopted Miss Bradshaw’s daughter, Deena.

He also has two sons, Alfonso and Saifoulaye, from earlier relationships.