7 PM: LATEST UPDATE: Senator Kennedy OK after seizure.
"After testing, we believe the incident was brought on by simple fatigue," Dr. Edward Aulisi, chairman of neurosurgery at Washington Hospital Center said in a statement issued from the ailing senator’s office. The Kennedy family matriarch will be held overnight for observation and then hopefully released in the AM.
UPDATE 1:
Sen. Ted Kennedy has seizure, conscious when carried to ambulance during Obama luncheon. At George Washington University Hospital for evaluation.
The Lion of Senate who had been battling brain cancer collapsed today at the Capitol during a luncheon commemorating the Obama Inauguration.
ABC reported that Kennedy, 76, suffered convulsions.
"He seemed to be going into a kind of seizure," former Vice President Walter Mondale said
"I’m told he’s doing much better now. He seemed to be in great difficulty for a brief period."
Contrary to previous reports that he was stricken as well, Kennedy pal, Senator Robert C. Byrd left the luncheon early to take care of business in his office.
Kennedy’s collapse came just moments before Congress presented Pres. Obama and VP Joe Biden crystal balls and commemorative photos.
“It looked like a seizure and it was painful to him,” Sen. Orrin Hatch told CNN. “But as he gradually was able to calm down … as he got into the ambulance he kind of looked over at me and smiled that old Irish smile that I know that things are going to be all right.”
