NC lawmaker in serious condition after collapse

RALEIGH — North Carolina state Rep. Becky Carney remains in serious but stable condition after collapsing at her legislative office and going into cardiac arrest.

The House Principal Clerk’s Office updated legislators Friday about Carney’s condition at Wake Med hospital in Raleigh. In an e-mail, the clerk said the current prognosis is for a full
recovery.

Rep. Bob England, a medical doctor, said Carney was unconscious and had no pulse after she collapsed while talking on the phone Thursday. England and a General Assembly police officer started CPR and the building’s defibrillator was used on her heart.

House Speaker Joe Hackney’s office said Carney had a heart arrhythmia.

The 64-year-old Carney is a four-term Democratic House member from Mecklenburg County.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)