Quogue Police Chief Faints at 'Coming Together for Civility' Event

The "" event on the steps of Friday morning was cut short when Quogue Village Police Chief Robert Coughlan fainted — but he is reportedly already feeling better.

Coughlan was standing on the steps of town hall along with other police, fire, school and government officials when he started to appear ill. Civil rights activist Bob Zellner had just taken the podium when attention turned to Coughlan. After struggling to stay standing and gripping a flagpole for support, he fainted and was soon surrounded by officials, some of whom took off their coats to lay on him to warm him up.

Southampton School District Superintendent J. Richard Boyes said he was standing behind Coughlan when he began to lean backwards and slump. Coughlan then fainted, but as people tried to talk to him his skin started to regain its color and he regained consciousness, Boyes said.

Coughlan was brought inside town hall and soon arrived. County Legislator Jay Schneiderman came back outside and said Coughlan has been fighting the flu.

Coughlan was taken out of town hall on a stretcher, with an oxygen mask on, and transported to . He was conscious and sitting up.

Later, during a town board work session, a member of the Quogue Fire Department let the town board know that Coughlan was doing much better.