ISLAMABAD, Oct 22: German ambassador Dr Gunther Mullak was hurt slightly when he lost balance and fell down while cycling near Secretariat chowk here on Sunday.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (Diplomatic) Naimatullah Khan told Dawn that the ambassador applied front brakes of his cycle when a car whizzed pass him at high speed at around 4.45pm. “He fell as the bicycle lost balance. He was not hit by the car”, he said.

The ambassador received some bruises on his face and hands in the accident. Assistant Sub-Inspectors Sultan Mehmood and Rafaqat, who were on duty at a nearby road, removed the ambassador to Federal Government Services Hospital where he was provided first aid. His neck, nose and left hand were X-rayed before being shifted to Shifa International hospital.

The wife of the ambassador, chief security officer of the German embassy and police officials were also present on the occasion. Dr Zia Hassan Rabbani and Dr Shafaq examined Dr Mullak at the Shifa hospital. A doctor on duty said his injuries were not serious. However CT scan of brain had been advised as a precautionary measure. His discharge from the hospital would depend on the CT scan’s report.

The ambassador appeared all right as he kept talking to his wife and the chief security officer at his bed in the emergency ward. He, however, declined to talk to mediapersons who had reached the hospital to know from him about the mishap.

“I tumbled down off my bicycle after a car crossed me at high speed. As I applied the front brakes of my bicycle, I lost my balance and fell down on the road”, the ambassador was quoted as saying by the police investigating officer Sultan Mehmood who had recorded the statement of the ambassador.