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Kerry returns to US after breaking thigh bone in bicycle fall

MAY 31, 201510:20 PM

[GENEVA] Secretary of State John Kerry cut short a trip to Europe to return home to Boston after breaking his right thigh bone in a bicycling accident Sunday in eastern France.

Mr Kerry fell from his bike, apparently after hitting a curb along the roadside near the town of Scionzier, a US State Department official said on condition of not being further identified. Mr Kerry, 71, was transported about 40 km by medical helicopter to University Hospital in Geneva, where his injury was evaluated.

"Given the injury is near the site of his prior hip surgery, he will return to Boston today to seek treatment at Massachusetts General Hospital with his doctor who did the prior surgery," State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement. "The secretary is stable and never lost consciousness, his injury is not life-threatening, and he is expected to make a full recovery." Mr Kirby confirmed that Kerry broke his "right femur." The bone is commonly referred to as a thigh bone.

Mr Kerry had been scheduled to fly to Madrid Sunday afternoon. He was also scheduled to meet with other members of the coalition against the Islamic State militant group on Tuesday in Paris. Mr Kirby said Mr Kerry plans to take part in the Paris meeting "remotely." The secretary was enjoying a free day after negotiations Saturday with the Iranian foreign minister.

BLOOMBERG