MP dies of heart attack mid-debate

Published: 8:15PM Thursday May 08, 2008 Source: Reuters

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A member of Colombia's Congress had a heart attack while debating a transportation bill and died hours later in a hospital after having to be transported in a private car because no ambulances were available.
   
Sixty-year-old Jose Fernando Castro, a member of conservative President Alvaro Uribe's majority coalition, collapsed mid-debate in a committee room.
   
The gray-haired Castro, his polka-dotted tie loosened from around his neck, spent 20 minutes on the floor of the room before those trying to help him decided to move him without the help of an ambulance, which was called but never arrived.
   
Castro's condition worsened while in the car on the way to the hospital, said fellow lawmaker Roy Barreras, a medical doctor by training who tried to revive him.
   
"It's amazing that there is no first aid available in Congress," said another lower house member who asked not to be named.

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