George Bush Snr ' treated for dehydration'
Former US President George Bush Snr was treated at a California hospital for dehydration and released today after collapsing during a golf game in Palm Springs.
Jean Becker, Bush’s chief of staff, told reporters that Bush fainted while playing golf with friends in 94-degree Fahrenheit (34.4 Celsius) heat.
“He’s fine, he really is fine,” Becker said. “He became dehydrated, and he had a fainting spell.
“He came to right away, but as a precaution, they took him to the hospital and then – much to his dismay – as a precaution, they held him overnight. The doctors released him first thing this morning.”
Bush, 82, and former first lady Barbara Bush were in California visiting a family friend.
His son, President George Bush, was informed of his father’s condition last night, before leaving Bogota, Colombia, for Guatemala City as part of a Latin America trip. He talked to his father by phone from Air Force One.
“His father assured him he was OK,” presidential spokesman Tony Snow said today.
Becker said Bush Snr was resuming his normal schedule and was expected to give a speech in Los Angeles before returning to his home in Houston tonight.
