Kennedy rushed to hospital from Obama luncheon

WASHINGTON — Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, ill with a brain tumor, suffered an apparent seizure at a post-inauguration luncheon for President Barack Obama on Tuesday and was rushed by ambulance from the Capitol to a hospital.

There was no immediate word from medical personnel on his condition, although fellow senators said remained conscious as he was taken for further evaluation.

A spokeswoman at the Washington Hospital Center said the Massachusetts Democrat was awake and answering questions when he arrived and was able to receive a phone call from Obama. His wife Vicki and son, Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., were with him.

There was no immediate word on what tests would be conducted. Standard procedure in cases like Kennedy's often calls for a CT scan to search for any bleeding or any other abnormalities in the brain.

"It looked like a seizure," said Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, who told reporters he was with Kennedy until they reached the ambulance.

Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., said he and Mrs. Kennedy took hold of the senator as he became ill.

Added Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., "It took a lot out of him. Seizures are exhausting."

Even so, Dodd quoted Kennedy as saying, "I'll be OK, I'll see you later" as he was put into the ambulance.

"The good news is he's gonna be fine," Dodd added.

Kennedy, 76, had appeared in good health and spirits a few hours earlier when he stepped out of the Capitol and onto the inauguration platform where Obama took the oath of office. His endorsement of the former Illinois senator had come at a pivotal point in the Democratic presidential race, and the older man campaigned energetically for the younger one.

Kennedy has suffered seizures since he was first stricken and had surgery for his tumor last year, but it was not known what caused him to fall ill at the early afternoon lunch.

Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W., Va., told reporters that Obama noticed when Kennedy became ill, and rushed over to his table.

"There was a call for silence throughout the room," he said. "The president went over immediately. The lights went down, just to reduce the heat, I think."

In his remarks, Obama said his prayers were with the stricken senator, his family and wife, Vicki.

"He was there when the Voting Rights Act passed, along with John Lewis who was a warrior for justice," the newly inaugurated president said.