US Senator rushed to hospital after multi-vehicle pile-up following medical emergency

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A US Senator has been rushed to hospital after a multi-vehicle crash, caused by a medical emergency.

Senator Chris Coons, a Democratic lawmaker for Delaware, said he was a passenger and rushed to Beebe Hospital in Lewes, Delaware.

Mr Coons said he was treated for minor injuries at the hospital he said in a statement on social media.

He added: "I'm now home and and expected to make a full and swift recovery."

The 62-year-old thanked the emergency services for their response and care.

He said: "I'm deeply grateful to the first responders for their prompt and professional response, including the Lewes Police Department, Lewes and Rehoboth Fire Departments, and Sussex County Emergency Medical Services, as well as the capable doctors and nurses at Beebe Hospital, where I received excellent care.

"I'm feeling relieved and blessed that by all accounts no one was seriously injured during the crash."

In a statement, Lewes Police Chief Thomas Spell said the car Mr Coons was in "as well as several other vehicles, were struck by a pickup truck whose driver had a suspected medical issue causing him to lose consciousness".

Authorities have not yet revealed additional details, including how many vehicles were involved in the collision.

Representative Sarah McBride, also from Delaware, sent the sitting Senator her regards.

"I am so glad to hear you are okay and that no one was seriously injured. Sending you and Annie all my love as you recover," she said.

Mr Coons has served as the Senator for Delaware since 2010, winning a special election after Joe Biden was elected as Vice President.

He is currently serving his third full term in the Senate, and serves as the vice-chairman on the Senate Ethic Committee.

It remains unclear if the crash will affect his upcoming schedule, and his specific injuries have not been revealed.

Mr Coons was considered one of the closest allies in Congress to Joe Biden during his presidency.

He had been announced as a candidate to serve as Secretary of State before the appointment of Antony Blinken.

The Delaware Senator also served as a chairman for Mr Biden's 2024 re-election campaign.

Mr Coons is currently running for re-election to his third full term in office.

He will face either Michael Katz or John Shulli, with primary elections scheduled for September.

Delaware has not elected a Republican to the Senate since 1994.