Sen. Byrd

by: CA Berkeley WV

Tue Sep 22, 2009 at 11:02:58 AM EDT

Ambulances race to Robert Byrd's home

Ambulances and fire trucks were dispatched to the Northern Virginia home of Sen. Robert Byrd Tuesday morning.

A neighbor of the 91-year-old West Virginia Democrat said several ambulances were outside his residence in McLean, Va., and a Byrd spokesman said the senator suffered a fall in his home.

Update (by Clem G.): From an email:

Sen. Byrd apparently stood up too fast this morning in his home and fell down.  To err on the side of caution his caregiver called an ambulance.  He was taken to the hospital where he is currently being checked out.  At this point in time he seems fine and there is no indication that he will be admitted.

Update #2 (by Clem G.): Official press release:

UPDATE ON SENATOR BYRD

Senator Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., has been admitted to the hospital and is expected to remain there for a few days.  Byrd was taken to the hospital this morning as a precautionary measure following a fall at his home which was likely caused by standing up too quickly.  While having no broken bones or bruises, upon examination, doctors found an elevated white-blood cell count which can be an early sign of an infection.  Therefore, his doctors have determined that Byrd should remain in the hospital for antibiotic treatment and observation.  Senator Byrd is in good spirits and expressed his disappointment that he was unable to join all his Senate colleagues this afternoon for the biennial Senate photo.