Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee critically injured in road mishap

Kolkata, Apr 7 (UNI) External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee was seriously injured when a stone-laden lorry collided head on with his bullet-proof car at Birhattala area under Bethuadahari Police Station of Nadia district in West Bengal at 2115 hours tonight.

Police here said Mr Mukherjee, who was rushed to Bethuadahari Grameen hospital, had to undergo 12 stitches in his head and was on saline when reports last came in.

Mr Mukherjee was being brought to Shaktinagar District hospital at Krishnagar for further treatment.

The Army were also sending a medical team to look after Mr Mukherjee.

Efforts were on to bring Mr Mukherjee to Kolkata, police added.

The District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police had rushed to the area.

The accident occurred when the tyre of the lorry got deflated and the driver lost control of the vehicle, which subsequently ploughed into the Minister's convoy and collided head on with his car.

Mr Mukherjee was returning from Baharampore in Murshidabad district after inaugurating a book fair.

The driver of the vehicle was also taken to the hospital, where his condition was stated to be serious.

Congress leader Manas Bhunia, who was accompanying the External Affairs Minister, also sustained injuries.

Senior party leaders Pradip Bhattacharyya and Somen Mitra were also rushing to the hospital at Krishnagar.

State Government officials were in constant touch with the district administration and the hospital authorities regarding the health condition of the Foreign Minister.

UNI