NZ PM shakes on despite arm break

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New Zealand Prime Minister John Key shook hands with 120 rugby players without realising his arm was broken in two places.

He had been in pain since falling as he left a stage after a speech earlier in the day, but did not think his arm was broken as he could move his fingers.

The rugby awards event involved "about 120 handshakes with rather large rugby players," he told Radio New Zealand.

An X-ray the following day revealed two breaks, but no need for surgery.

I had a momentary lapse of concentration John KeyNew Zealand Prime Minister His arm was put in a cast from wrist to armpit.

"It was very embarrassing," he told NZ television.

He said the incident happened as he left a brightly lit stage at one event, stepping onto dimly lit stairs.

"I had a momentary lapse of concentration.

"I looked out instead of down and the next thing I knew I'd hit the floor which was concrete," he said on Radio NZ.

"I got up fairly quickly and while my arm hurt, as it does when those things happen, I didn't think it was broken because I could still move my fingers."

He continued with his engagements for the day, but "by the end of the evening I thought this isn't quite right, so the next day I had it looked at and it's broken in two parts."

Mr Key was elected prime minister in November 2008.