LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - Jim Campbell, the President and CEO of General Electric's Appliance and Lighting Division, was rushed to a doctor after he collapsed just before 11:30 a.m. Monday as Vice President Joe Biden was speaking. Campbell, who was seated on a stool at the end of the stage set up inside a warehouse at GE's Appliance Park in Louisville, fell from a stool and off the stage as Biden was nearing the end of his remarks.
Biden paused and called for a doctor.
"Do we have a doctor here?" Biden asked. "Ladies and gentlemen, that's a sad note to end this on. Do we have a doctor here?"
According to GE spokeswoman Kim Freeman, Campbell appears to be fine, but was taken to an on-site medical clinic to be seen by a physician.
As Campbell was taken away, Biden remarked: "So folks, as my grandfather used to say, 'keep the faith.'"
Freeman says Campbell's collapse appears to be heat-related.
Biden was in town to tout the job-creation virtues of the Economic Recovery Act during his speech at Appliance Park, where the company is making a $600 million investment to expand manufacturing of "smart" appliances.
That investment is backed by nearly $25 million in tax credits that GE received under the stimulus.
State and city officials were present for the speech, including Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear, Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson and Congressman John Yarmuth.
Copyright 2010 WAVE News. All rights reserved.
Poster Comment:
Good ol' Joe. Still knockin' em' dead.
