US Democrat Reid leaves hospital after crash

US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid discharged from hospital hours after a car crash on a Las Vegas highway.

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Images from the scene showed broken glass, bumper damage and deflated tyres on some of the vehicles [AP]

US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has been discharged from the hospital less than three hours after a car crash on a Las Vegas highway, a hospital spokeswoman has said.

Reid suffered bruising to his ribs and hip in the crash that happened on Friday afternoon, staff said.

He was taken to the hospital by his security detail as a precaution. Troopers had earlier reported he was transported by ambulance.

Reid, 72, was wearing a seatbelt at the time of impact, and walked into the hospital on his own.

Officials of Read said other people on the senator’s security detail and another member of staff had minor injuries and were taken to the hospital for evaluation.

Six vehicles were involved in the apparent chain-reaction crash, including two Las Vegas police vehicles and two Capitol Police vehicles that were escorting Reid.

Images from the scene showed broken glass, bumper damage and deflated tyres on some of the vehicles.

Two lanes were closed and four tow trucks were summoned to the highway that runs parallel to the Las Vegas Strip, Nevada Highway Patrol spokesman Jeremie Elliott said.

Atomic museum

Earlier, Reid had taken part in a ceremony honouring the National Atomic Testing Museum in Las Vegas as the newest “national” museum.

The museum’s exhibits focus on the history of the development and testing of a nuclear bomb.

He had also been due to speak to the editorial board of Spanish-language newspaper El Tiempo, according to editor Hernando Amaya.

Reid, who has served as state legislator, lieutenant governor, congressman and five-term senator, has been majority leader since 2007.

As the top Democrat in the Senate, he helped steer President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul to passage in 2010 and secured his own re-election later that year, a surprise win in a Republican wave of victories. 

Source: News Agencies