Billy Graham hospitalised

2008-10-11 17:17

Asheville, North Carolina - Evangelist Billy Graham was hospitalized Saturday after tripping and falling over one of his dogs at his North Carolina home, a hospital spokesperson said.

The 89-year-old Graham was at Mission Hospital in Asheville with discomfort and bruising and hoped to be home later in the day, said spokeswoman Merrell Gregory.

He was listed in fair condition and his physicians report that X-rays showed no broken bones, Gregory said in a news release.

For six decades, Graham led a worldwide crusade-based ministry that packed stadiums with believers and allowed him to counsel every US president since Harry S Truman.

The Southern Baptist minister fell late on Friday at his home in Montreat, North Carolina.

Earlier this year, Graham had elective surgery to update a shunt that controls excess fluid on his brain.

The shunt was first installed in 2000 and drains fluid through a small tube, relieving excess pressure that can cause symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease.

Graham has also suffered from prostate cancer and macular degeneration.

He was hospitalised last year for nearly two weeks after experiencing intestinal bleeding.

Graham turns 90 on November 7.

- AP