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George HW Bush, former US president, breaks bone in neck in fall | George HW Bush, former US president, breaks bone in neck in fall |
(about 14 hours later) | |
George HW Bush is in “fair condition” in a hospital after falling and breaking a bone in his neck and is expected to recover from the injury without surgery, his spokesman said on Thursday. | |
The former US president, who is 91, sustained the injury during a fall at his family home in Kennebunkport, Maine, on Wednesday. | |
He was admitted to Maine Medical Center, in Portland, a 30-mile drive from his home, where he remained overnight in stable condition. | |
Bush’s spokesman, Jim McGrath, was quick to downplay concerns on Wednesday, tweeting that the 41st president was “fine” but likely to be placed in a neck brace. | |
41 fell at home in Maine today and broke a bone in his neck. His condition is stable -- he is fine -- but he'll be in a neck brace. | 41 fell at home in Maine today and broke a bone in his neck. His condition is stable -- he is fine -- but he'll be in a neck brace. |
He later added that Bush’s wife, Barbara, was said to have said: “A slip and fall is not going to take out a World War II pilot.” | |
In a more expansive statement released on Thursday, McGrath said the former Republican president, who is father to both the 43rd president, George W Bush, and a leading candidate to be the next president, Jeb Bush, fractured his C2 vertebrae. | |
“We do not discuss timelines for discharge but do not believe this will be a prolonged recovery period,” the statement said. “The plan is to let this injury heal on its own without surgery.” | |
It added: “The president never lost consciousness, and the injury he sustained neither impinged on his spine nor resulted in any neurological deficits. He continues to have normal use of his limbs.” | |
During a brief press conference, a physician treating the former president at the hospital, Dr William D’Angelo, said “it usually takes three to four months” for a patient of Bush’s age to recover from a fracture of this kind. His mobility would be impaired during that period, he said. | |
He added that surgery was unlikely to be necessary. | |
On Wednesday evening, Matt Paul, a hospital spokesman, said Bush had been taken to the hospital earlier that afternoon. | On Wednesday evening, Matt Paul, a hospital spokesman, said Bush had been taken to the hospital earlier that afternoon. |
“He was brought here earlier today and diagnosed with a fracture in his neck. He is in stable condition and will be wearing a neck brace.” | “He was brought here earlier today and diagnosed with a fracture in his neck. He is in stable condition and will be wearing a neck brace.” |
Paul said the former president would be kept in overnight, and that it was too early to say when he will be released. | |
McGrath said Bush would stay “as long as needed”. | |
“But he is doing OK. He’s as tough as they get,” he said. | “But he is doing OK. He’s as tough as they get,” he said. |
Bush – the oldest living former US president – was hospitalised in Houston over the Christmas period last year for treatment of shortness of breath. In 2012, he spent a lengthy spell in hospital to be treated for bronchitis and other complications. | Bush – the oldest living former US president – was hospitalised in Houston over the Christmas period last year for treatment of shortness of breath. In 2012, he spent a lengthy spell in hospital to be treated for bronchitis and other complications. |
Bush has lower-body Parkinsons, which causes a loss of balance, and has used wheelchairs since at least 2011. | |
Last week, Bush attended fundraising events in Maine with donors backing his son Jeb Bush’s campaign to win the Republican presidential nomination. | Last week, Bush attended fundraising events in Maine with donors backing his son Jeb Bush’s campaign to win the Republican presidential nomination. |
After Jeb Bush declared his intention to run Bush Sr said he was one of the proudest parents in America. | |
Yesterday the country saw a great leader and good man point the way to a better future. I am 1 of the 2 proudest parents in America today. | Yesterday the country saw a great leader and good man point the way to a better future. I am 1 of the 2 proudest parents in America today. |