Ted Kennedy Collapses From Seizure at Barack Obama Luncheon

Paramedics rushed to the Capitol building, where the lunch was held shortly after Obama's swearing-in ceremony, and took Kennedy away on a stretcher. ABC News reports that the senator's seizures lasted several minutes, and continued as he was being taken out.

Dr. Edward Aulisi, Chairman of Neurosurgery at Washington Hospital Center, released a statement to Entertainment Tonight blaming the fall on fatigue.

"Senator Edward Kennedy experienced a seizure today while attending a luncheon for President Barack Obama in the U.S. Capitol. After testing, we believe the incident was brought on by simple fatigue. Senator Kennedy is awake, talking with family and friends and feeling well. He will remain at the Washington Hospital Center overnight for observation, and will be released in the morning," his doctor said.

Obama was not in the room at the time, but he spoke a few words after returning.

"First of all, I know that while I was out of the room, concern was expressed about Teddy," Obama said. "He was there when the Voting Rights Act passed. And, along with [Representative] John Lewis, was a warrior for justice.

"And so I would be lying to you if I did not say that right now a part of me is with him. And I think that's true for all of us," Obama added. "This is a joyous time, but it's also a sobering time. And my prayers are with him and his family and [his wife] Vicki."

See photos of stars celebrating Obama's Inauguration.

Senators John Kerry, Christopher Dodd and Orrin Hatch walked with Kennedy down to the ambulance.

"He was starting to do okay by the time he got wheeled into the ambulance," Hatch told ABC News. "He was [conscious], he was speaking."

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