This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/16/former-us-president-george-hw-bush-breaks-bone-neck

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
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)
Former US president George HW Bush has broken a bone in his neck following a fall at his home, but his condition is not life-threatening, his official spokesman has said. 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.
A tweet posted by Jim McGrath said the former president referred to as “41”, denoting his status as the 41st holder of the office had fallen at his home in Kennebunkport, Maine. The former US president, who is 91, sustained the injury during a fall at his family home in Kennebunkport, Maine, on Wednesday.
Bush, who is 91, broke a bone in his neck and will require a neck brace, but his condition is stable and “he is fine”, McGrath said. He was admitted to Maine Medical Center, in Portland, a 30-mile drive from his home, where he remained overnight in stable condition.
Bush was being treated in Maine medical center in Portland, Maine. He was never disoriented and his hospital stay was not expected to be long, McGrath told CNN. 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”. 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.” 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.
The former president has lower-body Parkinsons, which causes a loss of balance, and has used wheelchairs since at least 2011. 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 hoping to be the third of the Bush clan in the White House after his father and brother, George W Bush Bush Snr said he was one of the “proudest parents in America”. 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.