Kennedy rushed out of luncheon with apparent seizure

Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), after suffering from what witnesses described as a seizure, was taken away from a  luncheon in
Congress held in the honor of President Obama and whisked away in an ambulance.

Kennedy was wheeled out of Congress and taken away by ambulance. However, several lawmakers said about 30 minutes after the incident that they heard Kennedy was doing better. Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.), the dean of the Senate, also left the luncheon early but it was the Massachusetts senator who appeared to be in a much worse condition.

{mosads}According to accounts from congressional staffers present at the luncheon, Kennedy, who was at the same table as Byrd, began having convulsions and his eyes rolled back in his head. Participants present at the event described Kennedy as having a seizure.

Teresa Heinz Kerry, the wife of Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), held Kennedy in his chair to prevent him from falling, one staffer said.Kerry and Sens. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) accompanied Kennedy to the ambulance and Hatch said his longtime friend was conscious at that time.

“He was very aware and very conscious and resistant to
any help,” said Dodd. “He’s in a good state.”

Those attending the luncheon held a moment of silence for Kennedy as he was being wheeled out by emergency personnel. Reporters were then allowed on to a balcony overlooking the luncheon.

Minutes later, President-elect Obama said his “prayers are with his family and Vicki.” Right now, Obama said, “a part of me is with him.”

“I thought he looked alright, but I also thought it was a little much for him to be here today,” said Hatch, one of Kennedy’s oldest and closet Senate friends.