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Kennedy Suffers Seizure at Inaugural Lunch, Byrd Fine After Early Departure
Sens. Ted Kennedy suffered a seizure sending Sen. Byrd out of the room during President Obama's celebratory inaugural luncheon on Tuesday.

FOXNews.com
Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Sens. Ted Kennedy was taken to a hospital after suffering seizures during President Obama's celebratory inaugural luncheon while Sen. Robert Byrd left early on Tuesday of his own accord, said his spokesman.

Kennedy, 76, suffered a series of convulsions that lasted a while. He was taken out on a wheelchair and had to have his legs lifted up to get him out of the room. He was loaded onto an ambulance and taken to Washington Hospital Center.

A spokeswoman at the hospital said Kennedy was awake and answering questions during an assessment. His wife Vicki and son, Rep. Patrick Kennedy, were with him.

Last summer, the Massachusetts Democrat was diagnosed with a life-threatening brain tumor. Kennedy was one of Obama's earliest supporters and is credited with leading the pack of lawmakers who pushed Obama's popularity.

Sen. John Kerry and wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, and Vicki Kennedy helped Kennedy get into the reclining chair in which he was wheeled out. Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd also accompanied Kennedy to the ambulance.

Dodd told FOX News Kennedy "bellowed something like 'I'm fine! I'm fine!"  Dodd's wife said, "He looked better. You know the Irish."
Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch said Kennedy signaled to him that he was going to be OK.

"It was serious," said Hatch. "But he gave me that old Irish smile that said 'Things are going to be alright.' I've seen that smile before."

Byrd, 91, and in failing health, reportedly was "emotional" at the time of the collapse and security detail decided to remove him from the room as a precautionary measure. But Byrd spokesman Mark Ferrell said the West Virginia Democrat's departure was not linked to a medical issue.

"Sen. Byrd made the decision to leave the luncheon once Sen. Kennedy was being taken from the room by medical personnel. Sen. Byrd is currently in his own office in the Senate Hart Building and is doing fine, though remains very concerned about his close friend Ted Kennedy," Ferrell said.

Byrd and Kennedy were at the same table -- along with Vice President Biden and second lady Jill Biden. The dual incidents occurred during the lunch portion of the program and did not interrupt the speeches.

Former Vice President Walter Mondale was............http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/2009/01/20/kennedy-suffers-seizure-inaugural-lunch/