24 May 2004	Monday	04 Rabi-us-Saani 1425

CRAWFORD, May 23: US President George W. Bush tumbled from his mountain bike during a Saturday ride on his ranch, scraping his chin, upper lip, both knees, his right hand and his nose, a White House spokesman said.

Mr Bush was on the 16th mile of a 17-mile afternoon ride with his doctor, Richard Tubb, a military aide, and a US Secret Service agent responsible for his safety, when the accident occurred, Trent Duffy told reporters.

The doctor treated Bush, who was wearing a safety helmet and mouth guard, for injuries described as minor. The president declined a Secret Service offer to drive him back to his home on the 1,600-acre (850-hectare) property.

Mr Duffy said Bush, 57, might be forced to wear bandages to the graduation party for one of his twin daughters, Jenna, in nearby Austin, Texas. -AFP