February 14, 2008

Pentagon chief fractures shoulder after ice slip

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Defense Secretary Robert Gates fractured his right shoulder after slipping on ice in front of his Washington, D.C., home on Tuesday evening, the Pentagon said on Wednesday.

He received medical care on Wednesday morning at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, not Walter Reed Army Medical Center, as the Defense Department earlier said.

Gates, 64, returned to work at the Pentagon on Wednesday afternoon with his right arm in a sling. He writes with his left hand.

"Fortunately, it does not appear as though his injury will require surgery. It should heal on its own," said Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell.

The Washington, D.C., area has been hit by icy weather over the last two days.

No comments: