Former President Carter to spend night in Cleveland hospital

Ty Tagami, Kristi E. Swartz and Craig Schneider

President Jimmy Carter will spend the night in a Cleveland hospital after suffering from an upset stomach while aboard a Delta flight. 

Carter, 85, was taken to Metro Health Hospital "for observation," his spokesperson, Deanna Congileo, said. He will remain there overnight at the recommendation of his doctor, and plans to resume his book tour Wednesday in Washington, she said.

“Upon further examination, by Metro Health Medical Center physicians, it was determined that former U.S. President Jimmy Carter would be admitted to the hospital for continued observation,” hospital spokeswoman Shannon Mortland said. “He is fully alert and participating in all decision making related to his care. The decision to admit him overnight is purely precautionary.”

Carter was rushed to the hospital after his plane was met by paramedics in Cleveland. He had complained of an upset stomach.

Jimmy Carter’s grandson, state Sen. Jason Carter, said the family understands that Carter is doing fine and they are not overly concerned.

“My understanding is that he is doing fine,” Jason Carter said. “I think it’s a stomach bug.”

Jason Carter said his grandfather’s general health is “fantastic.”

“He’s in great health. He gets good medical care and lots of attention,” he said.

Carter, a native of Plains, Ga., served as the 39th President of the United States from 1977 to 1981. He was Georgia's 76th governor, from 1971 to 1975.

During a stop Tuesday at a restaurant in Albuquerque, President Barack Obama told reporters he planned to call Carter as soon as he gets to Air Force One for his trip to Wisconsin later in the day.

Carter has been traveling to promote his new book, "White House Diary."

His appearance at Joseph-Beth Booksellers has been canceled today, disappointing 600 people who were waiting to hear him speak about his book, said general manager Ken Dickens. The former president’s visit will be rescheduled, he said.

Carter was arriving on Delta flight 5214 at 11:20 a.m. when the pilot called airport officials to alert them that the plane had a passenger who was feeling sick, said Todd Payne, chief of marketing at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

The airport deployed its "airport rescue firefighting squad," a paramedic response team. He said Carter was conscious when he exited the plane.

"They assessed his  medical condition and dispatched him to Metro Health Hospital in Cleveland," Payne said. "He was not feeling well."