Former Gov. Breathitt Collapses During Speech

Former Kentucky Gov. Edward T. “Ned” Breathitt, 78, was hospitalized in critical condition after he collapsed during a speech at the University of Kentucky in Lexington.

According to a statement from his cardiologist, John Gurley, there was no evidence that Breathitt suffered a heart attack, head injury or stroke. Breathitt was unconscious and on a ventilator at UK Medical Center.

Breathitt, a Democrat, is credited with supporting civil rights, strip-mining regulations and campaign-finance legislation and boosting the state’s education budget. He was governor from 1963 to 1967 and served three terms in the Legislature.