House Democrat collapses, brought to hospital as precaution

Mar. 16—CONCORD — Emergency medical personnel brought an eight-term House Democrat to a local hospital as a precaution after he briefly collapsed during a House session Thursday.

According to colleagues, Rep. Timothy Horrigan, D-Durham, choked on a cough drop while he had been following debate on a climate change bill.

Fellow legislators and House staff led by Sergeant-at-Arms J.B. Cullen rushed to assist Horrigan.

House Speaker Sherman Packard, R-Londonderry,

called a recess of the House session for 20 minutes to allow time for first responders to evaluate Horrigan.

"The House member was conscious and able to get back to his feet," said House Information Officer Jennifer Tramp in a statement.

"He was evaluated by our on-staff nurse in the anteroom. He was further evaluated by medics from the Concord Fire Department (and) he was transported to Concord Hospital."

Horrigan told the office of House Democratic Leader Matt Wilhelm of Manchester that he was cleared to be discharged from Concord Hospital Thursday night. A colleague was taking him home to Durham, a spokesperson said.

A South Bend, Indiana native, Horrigan, 66, serves on the House Judiciary Committee.