Ex-Homeland Security Boss In Critical Condition In Austin

AUSTIN, TX — Former U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge was in critical condition at an Austin hospital Thursday after undergoing emergency heart surgery, according to reports.

Ridge, 72, is in treatment at the Dell Seton Medical Center, according to the Austin American-Statesman. The former governor of Pennsylvania was attending the Republican Governors Association at the JW Marriott Hotel when he fell ill, according to the report.

His spokesman, Steve Aaron, said Ridge called hotel staff for help at around 7 a..m. and subsequently underwent a cardiac catherization.

“The Governor’s friends and family are grateful to the Marriott hotel’s emergency services team, the paramedics who quickly responded, and to the hospital’s cardiac staff, nurses and ER physicians for their tremendous professionalism, caring and concern,” Aaron said in a prepared statement.

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>>> Read the full story at Austin American-Statesman

Photo credit: Jose Luis Magana/Associated Press