OSCE MISSION HEAD SUFFERS BROKEN FLANK VERTEBRA

( Editorial: --> 8290 ) ZAGREB, July 17 (Hina) - The head of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe mission in Croatia Tim Guldimann suffered a spine fracture in a car accident which took place in downtown Zagreb Thursday afternoon, but is out of life danger. Guldimann broke the first flank vertebra, the deputy manager of the Zagreb Trauma Hospital Isidor Komanov told Hina on Friday, adding this type of injury does not endanger the victim's motor functions. The chauffeur of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) vehicle which was driving Guldimann, Damir Horvat, suffered a broken leg. He underwent surgery and is out of life danger. Both Guldimann and Horvat are hospitalised at the Trauma Hospital. The head of the UNHCR mission in Croatia Robert Robinson, who was lightly injured in the accident, was not kept in hospital. A traffic policeman who was accompanying a Zagreb-Parking tow truck which caused the crash, suffered a concussion, a blow in the rib cage and bruises on the arms and legs. The Surgery Department at Sveti Duh Hospital said he is out of life danger. Zagreb police spokesman Josip Begovic said today charges would be pressed against the driver of the tow truck who caused the accident by not giving precedence to vehicles coming towards him. (hina) ha jn 171508 MET jul 98