John Key. Photo Getty
Prime Minister John Key was taken to hospital last night
after fainting in front of a full restaurant in Christchurch.
He was taken to Christchurch Hospital, where he was seen by
three specialists, who decided he was fit to travel to
Antarctica this morning.
He was released from hospital around midnight.
The restaurant was Tutto Bene, an Italian pizzeria in
Merivale.
Press secretary Kevin Taylor said Mr Key fell to the ground
of the restaurant in full view of diners.
It was not known what caused his collapse.
"Sometimes faints just happen," Mr Taylor said.
Mr Key is flying to Antarctica where he will be briefed on
the Antarctic Research Institute's activities before
travelling to one of the premiere science spots in the Dry
Valleys tomorrow.
Restaurant manager Felicity Plummer said Mr Key looked unwell
during his meal, and was visibly sweating.
Although he was chatting throughout the evening to people
across and either side of him it was evident that he was
unwell and "obviously other diners must have noticed this''.
As he and his party prepared to leave, "I pointed out to my
colleague I didn't think he would make it away from the
table. Within a second he had either gone into a faint or
collapsed''.
"We were concerned for him as you would be for anybody in
that position.''
Mr Key recovered enough to look around and be aware of his
surroundings, "and very graciously left''.
"I can only wish the man well.''
Ms Plummer said she later texted Antarctica NZ chief
executive Lou Sanson to ask how Mr Key was faring and
received a text in reply thanking her for her concern and the
way the restaurant had handled the situation.
Mr Sanson advised her Mr Key was possibly suffering from jet
lag.
However, a spokeswoman for Mr Key this afternoon told the New
Zealand Herald jet lag was not thought to be a factor in the
incident.
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