Former Beverly Mayor Stable After Collapse During Dedication

BEVERLY, MA -- Former Beverly Mayor Bill Scanlon was "stable and alert" Friday afternoon after collapsing while delivering comments at the dedication of the new Beverly Middle School earlier in the day. Burlington School Committee Member Christine Monaco, Scanlon's sister, said in an email to Patch he was being transferred to Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.

Scanlon reportedly said "Excuse me" and passed out. Scanlon was instrumental in getting the school project off the drawing board. People in the audience of the school's auditorium began performing CPR on Scanlon, according to the Salem News. He appeared to be conscious and alert when he was being moved to an ambulance, the newspaper said.

People attending the ceremony were moved into the gym and students were ordered to shelter in place while emergency personnel worked on Scanlon. School officials said they will reschedule the dedication ceremony.

Scanlon was mayor of Beverly for 18 years. He was first elected in 1993, but was out of office from 2002 to 2004, when he taught at Endicott College. In 2013 he announced he would not run for a record tenth term. In addition to the middle school project, his accomplishments include getting the city out of a $8 million deficit, renovation of five elementary schools and construction of the McKeown School.

More on Scanlon: What Has Been Scanlon's Top Accomplishment?

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Patch file photo.