OSCE & UNHCR ISSUE STATEMENT ON THURSDAY ACCIDENT

( Editorial: --> 8317 ) ZAGREB, July 17 (Hina) - The missions of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Croatia on Friday issued a joint statement on Thursday's accident in which the OSCE Mission chief Tim Guldimann sustained severe injuries. Guldimann will be transported to Switzerland during the day. The UNHCR Mission head Robert Robinson, who was in the same car with Guldimann, received light injuries and is recovering at home, the statement said. The accident happened on the way to the Foreign Ministry, where Guldimann and Robinson were to meet high Croatian government officials. As they were approaching the Ministry building, a tow truck hit the front of their car. The car was considerably damaged while driver Damir Horvat suffered a broken leg. Ambassador Guldimann, although in shock, did not think he was heavily damaged and walked to the Foreign Ministry. During the meeting in the Foreign Ministry he realised he might have sustained more serious injuries than he believed at first and was driven off to the Zagreb Trauma Centre after the meeting. After a thorough check-up it was established that Guldimann suffered a fractured vertebra, the statement. His injury, although serious, is possible to treat and does not represent an immediate or permanent danger, the statement added. Ambassador Guldimann is currently at the Trauma Centre in Zagreb but the Swiss Government is preparing his transport to a clinic near Zurich for further examination and treatment. Guldimann is expected to leave during the day. Robert Robinson, who suffered muscle injuries and bruises, remained after the accident with the driver and escorted him to the Trauma Centre where he underwent leg surgery. After a check-up, Robinson was released on Thursday evening and is recovering at home, the statement said. (hina) jn rml 171638 MET jul 98