State Sen. Tim Melson (R-Florence) suffered a heart attack earlier this week in South Korea, according to multiple sources who spoke to 1819 News on Thursday afternoon.
Lawmakers in Senate leadership didn't immediately return requests for comment on Thursday. Hope Brasell, an Alabama Senate spokeswoman, declined to comment.
The seriousness of Melson's health situation wasn't immediately clear on Thursday. Melson was visiting South Korea this week while other state senate colleagues were there as well.
Melson was part of a group of Alabama education leaders and lawmakers who went to South Korea in 2019 to explore the possibility of bringing Korean math and science teachers to classrooms in Alabama.
Update (9:51 pm): Liz Hurley of Huntsville's WAFF reports State Sen. Arthur Orr administered CPR until EMT's arrived.
BREAKING: State Sen. Tim Melson (R-Lauderale Co) suffered a heart attack while on a state recruiting trip in S. Korea today and is in critical condition tonight@lizhurleyWAFF reports State Sen. Arthur Orr administered CPR until EMT's arrived, Melson's family en route to Seoul pic.twitter.com/ueYaqlrVyA
— Jonathan Hardison (@WBRC6Hardison) July 28, 2023
UPDATE (2:00 am): State Sen. Keith Kelley (R-Weaver) asks for prayers for his colleague.
Editor's note: This story will be updated with additional information when available.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email caleb.taylor@1819News.com.
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