Talks off after Polish PM injured

Talks between Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and the Polish Prime Minister, Lezek Millar, were cancelled today after Mr Millar was involved in a helicopter crash near Warsaw.

Polish Ambassador to Ireland Witoid Sobkow said Mr Millar suffered two broken ribs when his aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing near a forest, 10 miles outside the country’s capital last night.

Mr Sobkow said the Prime Minister was expected to remain in hospital for a week.

“It was just an unfortunate accident and we have had to cancel the visit,” he said.

“It was a rather old helicopter, around 27 years old, and it appears that there was a mechanical fault in one of the engines.

“There is no suggestion of terrorism or sabotage.”

Mr Sobkow said eight people on board the helicopter received minor injuries, while a press officer suffered a punctured lung and a security officer a broken pelvis.

The Soviet helicopter was returning from a trip to southern Poland when the incident happened, he added.

Mr Millar was due to meet the Taoiseach, his deputy Tanaiste Harney, President Mary McAleese and Minister for foreign Affairs Brian Cowen during his visit.

The ambassador said the premier hoped to be fit to attend an EU inter-governmental conference later this month.