BERLIN (AP) – Germany’s economy minister fell badly as he left a stage Tuesday during an event at which he was presenting a European digital cloud project.

Peter Altmaier tripped on the steps and appeared to fall head-first as he left the stage after giving a speech at the event in Dortmund. He lay on the ground and was quickly surrounded by helpers.

It wasn’t immediately clear whether Altmaier was significantly hurt.

News agency dpa reported that Altmaier was taken to a hospital, was conscious and had thanked doctors for taking care of him.

Altmaier, 61, has been Germany’s economy minister since March last year. He was previously Chancellor Angela Merkel’s chief of staff and her environment minister.

A member of her center-right Christian Democratic Union, he has long been a close ally of the German leader.