Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter was rushed from the airport in Cleveland to Metro Health Hospital at 11:30 a.m. ET after experiencing stomach pain on Tuesday. Paramedics met Carter’s plane upon its arrival.
The 39th president fell ill while on a flight to Ohio, where he planned to attend a book signing at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Lyndhurst, for his latest literary project White House Diary, number 23 for Carter.
Carter spokeswoman Deanna Congileo released this statement: “While on a flight to Cleveland, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter developed an upset stomach, and, upon arrival, was taken to Metro health Hospital for observation. He is resting comfortably and is expected to resume his book tour this week.”
UPDATE: Carter’s grandson, Georgia state Senator Jason Carter initially reported on his Facebook page that his grandfather had been released from a Cleveland hospital after a bout of air sickness. He later reported that the information was erroneous and Jimmy Carter is still hospitalized.
News Channel 5 reported that an ambulance arrived with Secret Service crews following and a State Highway Patrol cruiser. The emergency room was cleared as a security precaution. People were asked to leave because “President Carter is coming.”
The Carter Center monitors elections, fights disease in developing nations and seeks to strike peace deals internationally. The elder statesman is also a driving force behind Habitat For Humanity. He will be 86 on October 1.
More photos, current video on Carter’s condition, and a new 60 Minutes book interview with Lesley Stahl below: