Kennedy Leaves Inauguration Luncheon On Stretcher

4:37 p.m.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Doctors are blaming fatigue for the seizure
that Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, ill with a brain tumor, suffered
during a post-inauguration luncheon for President Barack Obama.
Dr. Edward Aulisi, Washington Hospital Center's neurosurgery
chairman, says Kennedy is awake, talking with family and friends
and feeling well.
In a statement released by Kennedy's office, Aulisi said:
"After testing, we believe the incident was brought on by simple
fatigue."
Kennedy will remain at the hospital overnight for observation
and go home in the morning.

4:31 p.m.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Doctors at Washington Hospital Center are
assessing Sen. Edward Kennedy after he fell ill at an inauguration
luncheon for President Barack Obama.
The hospital says Kennedy is awake and answering questions. He's
been battling a brain tumor.
Sen. Orrin Hatch was at the event and says "It looked like a
seizure." Former Vice President Walter Mondale says Kennedy was
swapping stories with others at their table when "something
happened" and "he just stopped."
But Sen. Chris Dodd says Kennedy was talking when he was put
into the ambulance, adding "the good news is he's gonna be fine."
Sen. Robert Byrd also left the luncheon early, but his office
says he's doing fine. A spokesman says Byrd was sitting with
Kennedy and is "very concerned about his close friend."

2:36 p.m.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Sen. Robert C. Byrd's office says the 91-year
West Virginian decided to leave an inauguration luncheon after Sen.
Edward M. Kennedy was stricken, but not because of any medical
problem of his own.
Spokesman Mark Ferrell said that Byrd was sitting at the Capitol
luncheon with Sen. Kennedy when the Massachusetts senator took
sick.
Ferrell said, "Sen. Byrd did not have a medical issue - he is
just fine."
Ferrell added: "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."

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)