Kerry breaks leg in bike accident in France

WASHINGTON — Secretary of State John Kerry headed to a Boston hospital Sunday after breaking his leg in a bicycling accident in Europe and cutting short a diplomatic trip focused on nuclear negotiations with Iran.

Kerry, 71, broke his right femur early Sunday, State Department spokesman John Kirby said. The break is near a prior hip replacement surgery, Kirby said.

Kerry’s injury is “not lifethreatening, and he is expected to make a full recovery,” Kirby said in a statement. He said Kerry was in good spirits.

It is unclear how quickly Kerry will be able to resume traveling. But the secretary is already signaling that he will try not to let the accident interrupt his usual intense work schedule.

He is planning to join by teleconference a meeting in Paris on Tuesday of foreign ministers who are part of the coalition against the Islamic State militant group. Because of the accident, Kerry canceled meetings with Spanish officials planned for Sunday.

Kerry is to be transported to Massachusetts General Hospital in a plane “outfitted to ensure he remains comfortable and stable throughout the flight,” Kirby said. He said use of the plane is “nothing more than a prudent medical step on the advice of physicians.”

Kerry, an avid cyclist who brings his bike and cycling clothing with him on over- seas trips, was riding in Scionzier, France, just across the border from Geneva. He had set off to climb an Alpine pass that is part of the Tour de France route.

When the accident happened, however, Kerry was traveling slowly on flat ground, the French news service Agence FrancePresse reported. His bicycle tire appears to have hit a curb, causing him to fall, local officials told the news service.