George just fine after close shave

Defence Minister George Fernandes suffered minor injuries today when his vehicle crashed into a standing truck near Nagarnausa on Fatuah-Biharsharief National Highway.

He was returning to the Rajgir circuit house around 1 am after a function at Hilsa. His Tata Qualis was moving slowly due to the fog but the driver could not see the truck. The seat belt was not functional and Fernandes hit his head against the dashboard. ‘‘I thought everything was over,’’ the minister said.

Fernandes was examined at the circuit house after he complained of headache and pain in the leg. Doctors had X-rays of his spine and skull taken but everything was normal, said Col Shamsher Singh of Danapur Military Hospital.