US Secretary of state John Kerry breaks his leg cycling
Secretary of State John Kerry broke his leg in a bike crash outside Geneva on Sunday, where he had been holding nuclear talks with Iran’s foreign minister.
He is expected to return to the United States for treatment.
Kerry was in stable condition and in good spirits as he prepared to return to Boston for further treatment with the doctor who previously operated on his hip, U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said.
He said X-rays at a Swiss hospital confirmed that Kerry fractured his right femur.
However, he decided after further consultation to remain in Geneva’s main hospital, HUG, “for purely precautionary measures” and fly home Monday, State Department spokesman John Kirby said.
Kirby also said Kerry never lost consciousness, is in good spirits and has spoken to several people by phone including President Obama.
The accident occurred near Scionzier, France, outside the Swiss border. Paramedics and a physician were on the scene with his motorcade at the time.
Kerry’s cycling rides have become a theme of his diplomatic journeys, often taking his bike with him on the plane.
During discussions in late March and early April between world powers and Iran, he took several bike trips during breaks in the negotiations. Those talks were held in Lausanne, Switzerland, and led to a framework agreement.
Kerry met Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif for six hours in a Geneva hotel Saturday as the sides now work to seal a comprehensive accord by June 30.