UK News 11-10-2000 Dewar Fights For Life who: First Minister Donald Dewar what: Critically ill in hospital where: Western General Hospital, GLASGOW when: Today snippet: "Donald Dewar was critically ill on a life support machine in hospital last night following a suspected brain haemorrhage," reports The Scotsman this morning. The 63-year-old Scottish first minister stumbled and fell while leaving his official residence, Bute House, at noon yesterday, but continued his duties until being urged to go to hospital at 5.30pm. "A hospital spokesman said he was suffering from bleeding in the head although he did not bump it when he fell," reports The Mirror. But The Times reports the illness as "critical", saying "he was being kept alive early today by a life-support system but hopes that he would survive were fading". "It is understood that medication Mr Dewar has been taking to thin his blood after heart valve surgery may have heightened his susceptibility to internal bleeding," reports The Guardian. "It is very serious indeed," said John Reid, the Scottish Secretary last night. "I am holding my breath. All of us are hoping that Donald Dewar can pull through. But it is very bleak at present." [... more]

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