Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been involved in a horror car crash which killed a police officer.
The 61-year-old populist leader had a lucky escape after his escort was involved in a collision following Hungary's victory over Scotland in Stuttgart, Germany, last night.
A motorbike escorting Orban's vehicle crashed into a car in the district of Degerloch at around 11.15pm.
He was being escorted to the airport after Kevin Csoboth last-minute finish sent the Tartan Army packing home early.
A BMW, which was reportedly being driven by a 69-year-old woman, collided with a 61-year-old male officer.
Despite the best efforts of local emergency services, the officer died in hospital.
A 27-year-old officer also suffered serious injuries and continues to receive treatment.
A public prosecutor's office and Stuttgart police confirmed the accident in a statement released today.
Police Chief Markus Eisenbraun said: "We are deeply shocked by the accident of our colleagues.
"The tragic circumstances of the death of our valued colleague have left us speechless and have hit the entire Stuttgart police force to the core."
Orban hoped to leave Stuttgart to return to Budapest but faced disruption as the accident occured some eight kilometres away from the airport.
Ludwigsburg Police Headquarters have taken over the investigation.
Investigators have urged any witnesses to come forward with information.
Orban was elected as Hungary's Prime Minister in May 2010.
He served a separate stint as the ex-satellite state's leader from 1998 to 2002, when Budapest secured Nato membership.
Hungary could yet still proceed to the knockout stage of the 2024 European Championships.
Marco Rossi's side, led by Liverpool talisman Dominik Szoboszlai, will hope Slovenia and the Czech Republic struggle to pick up point in their final group stage fixtures tomorrow.
