Topic: Defense Secretary Gates Fractures Shoulder In Accident

CNN
February 13, 2008 CNN Newsroom, 9:00 AM
HEIDI COLLINS: First we want to get to our Jamie McIntyre standing by at the Pentagon for some information, kind a strange story about Defense Secretary Gates.
Jamie I understand that he's had some type of accident where he fell. What is the extent of the injury? What happened?
JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SR. PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, that's right, Heidi. You're aware, of course, in the Washington area, there was very bad weather last night. An ice storm, and the Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates, apparently slipped on some ice last night and fractured his right shoulder.
The Pentagon is saying, not saying exactly where it happened, although they did say it didn't happen here at the Pentagon. And they say that he has been examined by doctor and is receiving treatment, but they're not saying where that treatment is.
Presumably he may be at nearby military hospital, but they're not disclosing that information. They are saying that he is still carrying out the duties and responsibilities of defense secretary. Even though he suffered this fractured right shoulder, but he will not be appearing as scheduled to today on Capitol Hill. He was going to be testifying before the senate appropriations committee on the Pentagon's budget for next year.
That duty will now fall to the deputy defense secretary, Gordon England, but, again, Defense Secretary Robert Gates slipped on some ice last night here in the Washington area, where we had a bit of ice storm last night, injured himself by fracturing his right shoulder. The defense secretary is 64 years old, but he's in pretty good shape.
We just returned with him from a trip to Iraq and to Europe, where he was talking with NATO allies, and he was in very good spirits. Again, a treacherous situation last night with very slippery sidewalks all around the Washington area and apparently it got to the Secretary of Defense.
COLLINS: Wow. Ouch. All right, Jamie. We know you'll stay on top of that one for us. Appreciate it as well. Jamie McIntyre from the Pentagon this morning.