Kerry, staff involved in minor car accident in India

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry speaks at a press conference in Gandhinagar, India, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. AP

US Secretary of State John Kerry and his staff were involved in a minor road accident Monday during his visit to western India, but none of the party were injured, an official said.

Kerry was heading to the airport in Ahmedabad city in Gujarat state when his car and another in the motorcade were involved in the accident, a State Department official said.

“During the drive to the airport in Ahmedabad… two cars in the motorcade had a minor traffic accident resulting in some damage to both cars,” State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.

“Secretary Kerry was in the first of the two vehicles. He sustained no injuries nor did any staff or personnel.”

Psaki added the motorcade proceeded to the airport “without further incident” after one vehicle was replaced.
Kerry held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit and attended a major investment conference in Gujarat, the premier’s home state.

Kerry is also in India ahead of a visit by US President Barack Obama, who will be guest of honor at the country’s January 26 Republic Day celebrations.

India’s roads are notoriously dangerous. Government figures show 166,506 people died in traffic accidents in 2013, with bad roads, speeding vehicles and poor driving among the contributing factors.