PM 'stable' after car accident

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February 11, 2017 1:54 PM

Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydlo was in "stable condition" in hospital after a car accident, a government spokesman said.

Beata Szydlo's car crashed into a tree after it was hit by a 21-year-old's Fiat 600 on Friday night

Polish Prime Minister

The prime minister was riding in a motorcade on Friday evening when a Fiat 600 driven by a 21-year-old man struck her vehicle in the southern town of Oswiecim.

Her car was forced off the road and crashed into a tree, with the front of the car badly damaged. Two security agents including Szydlo's driver were also injured, one of them suffering serious leg injuries.

Szydlo underwent medical tests in a local hospital before being transported in the evening by helicopter to a military hospital in Warsaw.

Government spokesman Rafal Bochenek told reporters the prime minister was still in hospital "under observation" and the duration of her stay would "depend on the specialists".

"She is being well looked after. She can carry out her role, she can fulfil her obligations as head of the government," Bochenek said.

He refused to specify the nature of medical tests undergone by the 53-year-old or confirm if she would preside over the weekly cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

"She feels well although she is not completely back to normal after being involved in an accident," he said.

Szydlo was wearing a safety belt at the time of the crash.

The Fiat's driver has admitted responsibility for the accident and has been charged with causing "bodily damage in a road accident". If convicted, he faces up to three years in prison.

Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the powerful head of Szydlo's rightwing Law and Justice (PiS) party, had told supporters at an event Friday night the premier was "seriously hurt" in the accident.

"We're with you Beata and we're sure that after a brief stay in hospital, you'll be back with us again leading the government," he said.

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