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New China Disaster?; Senator Kennedy Taken to the Hospital; Louisiana Acid Spill
Aired May 17, 2008 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ALINA CHO, CNN ANCHOR: Monday's earthquake caused landslides that blocked a river in Beichuan county, that has created two fast rising lakes, there's a very real danger right now that those lakes could burst their banks sending a wall of water toward 30,000 people who are living downstream. They have been told to head for higher ground immediately. Earthquake survivors, rescuers and journalists ordered out of the area, roads jammed with vehicles and soldiers carried elderly people out of the area as well. One observer reported a stampede as being described as utter chaos.
Aftershocks continue in the wake of Monday's earthquake as the confirmed death toll rises above 28,000, could rise to more than 50,000. A few survivors are still being pulled from the rubble.
T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: CNN's John Vause saw that damage in Chengdu yesterday, he joins us now. He saw it in Beichuan, actually in Chengdu for us right now. And John, you tell us, this is the last thing, it surprised a lot of people to hear, two man-made -- or two lakes that were developed after this earthquake, now the threat of flooding, people already trying to recover, rescuers and people there trying to survive had to run for their lives.
JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, T.J., that's what it sounds like at this stage, what we're being told is that a road went out and a wall of water was heading down the river that caused some panic, there's even reports there may have been a stampede in the area. What's happened is that the landslides have created these two natural dams, they blocked the river, the last couple of days the water level has come up, so authorities are now considering controlled explosions to try and get the river flowing again, drain the water out, lower the levels and take some of the pressure off those natural dams which formed by those landslides caused by the quake. One area which could be affected by all of this is Beichuan County. Earlier I was there, the city home to more than 20,000 people and the destruction there really is just staggering.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
VAUSE (voice-over): This is what's left after a magnitude 7.9 earthquake rumbles through a city of more than 20,000. When the side of the mountain came crashing down, a tidal wave of earth swept everything before it, the pile of wreckage is massive. Survivors make the slow and dangerous climb to the top. Once there, they call out the names of the missing hoping they'll answer back, but rarely do. This young man's mother has died. She was buried alive when the buildings collapsed. One of the highest peaks in the city of Beichuan is the top of all this dirt, concrete and steel.
(On camera): This pile of rubble is probably about five stories tall. It's even higher over there just beyond the destroyed cell phone tower and just over here is another building which appears to have completely toppled over at right angles.
(Voice-over): Cars and trucks were picked up and dumped on top. On the other side of this mountain city, giant boulders came crashing down, smashing buildings from their foundations, flattening cars and people. How close must this person have come to almost making it out alive, killed in the doorway of an apartment building?
(END OF VIDEOTAPE)
VAUSE: Now, the real problem right now though with this evacuation order in the worst-hit areas of the quake zone is that soldiers and rescue crews were also ordered to leave, they were told to evacuate, so right now, precious time is being lost. I'm still trying to find those who may be alive underneath the rubble. The numbers vary. It's hard to get a precise number, it's as low as 12,000, as high as 25,000 people. T.J.?
HOLMES: Certainly don't want to be losing any time right now, any time, every moment precious right now in the rescue efforts. John Vause for us again in Chengdu. Thank you so much. Alina?
CHO: T.J. we are watching this story very closely. Some breaking news just coming into our newsroom. About three hours west of New Orleans in Lafayette, Louisiana, six train cars derailed, apparently containing hydrochloric acid, two of those cars at this hour we are told are leaking. There's been an evacuation of a one- mile radius. We want to go straight to our CNN affiliate KLFY anchor Chuck Huebner who is in the newsroom but it's not far from where this derailment happened. Chuck what is the latest?
CHUCK HUEBNER, KLFY ANCHOR: All we can tell you at this point is that there is a one-mile evacuation zone around the spill site, it apparently took place at Ambassador Calfry at the railroad tracks. It involves several thousand people, it's a combination of residential and business areas inside that one-mile zone. Also nominally involves our television station. Police are telling us we may have to evacuate depending upon whether or not the spill worsens or the wind changes. Inside that zone there's also one nursing home that has already been evacuated. Of more concern though are two hospitals that are located currently just outside the spill zone but that could change as well.
CHO: Chuck, I want to ask you, where are those people heading right now? We're just getting the first pictures we should mention of this, just to get our viewers up to speed. Six train cars derailed, it looks like overnight in Lafayette, Louisiana. Just about three hours west of New Orleans there. Where are these people heading now that they have to evacuate this one-mile zone?
HUEBNER: We have evacuation zones that are set up outside the area. They're using Lafayette transit buses and Lafayette police are going door to door inside the zone to go ahead and tell people to evacuate to move outside. At present, they're being told to take enough clothing and medication and also to make provisions for any pets to be gone for upwards of 48 hours.
CHO: Have you talked to any local officials there? We're talking about hydrochloric acid, two of those cars reportedly leaking at this hour. Six cars derailed. Are there any concerns about a possible larger disaster, potentially an explosion?
HUEBNER: At this point, no. Obviously they're concerned about that possibility, and that's why they have the one-mile mandatory evacuation zone, but at this point, the primary concern is for the inhalation of any of the fumes from the acid. They're being very careful to tell people what the initial warning signs are, burning in the eyes, burning in the throat, and if the symptoms continue, nausea.
CHO: Chuck Huebner of our CNN affiliate KLFY, I know you'll be watching the story closely for us, keep us posted. Chuck, thank you. T.J.?
HOLMES: Alina, we will turn to another international story we are watching closely, a sad and tragic one and there's a lot of frustration, a lot of anger, a lot of despair right now about what's happening in Myanmar, that's where a lot of people still desperately need help. It's not yet been coming. It's been now two weeks since the cyclone devastated that country. The official death toll climbing now, approaching 78,000. Almost 56,000 reported missing. The military government there still blocking most foreign aid. The British government warns the natural disaster is turning into a man- made catastrophe. Alina?
CHO: T.J. we want to get to our correspondent who is inside Myanmar on the phone from the capital there. We should mention that in order to protect our reporting team, there are many safety concerns, we're not going to disclose any names. Tell us the latest situation right now. There's so much concern about getting aid into the country, getting it to the people who need it most. What is the latest?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, Alina, you're absolutely right, the big problem remains getting it to the people. What we're hearing right now is that more and more aid flights are coming into Myanmar, four American aid flights came in her yesterday and nine more are scheduled for the rest of this weekend. But what we're hearing from the aid organizations here on the ground is massive frustration, they say the aid planes get unloaded at the airport and then basically they don't know where that aid is going to. The workers are not being allowed into those zones, most devastated by this cyclone Nargus more than two weeks ago. We of course were able to get into those areas where the cyclone ravaged the most, there's also flooding soon after the cyclone had gone through, we saw that not a lot of aid was getting especially into those remote villages, a lot of people there had lost their lives, a lot of them also had very little food left and a lot of the aid was not getting there. This is not only concerning what the aid organizations say, it's not only concerning getting rice, water and medication in there, also they're trying to bring equipment into that area. Those of course foremost are water purification plants that they have to provide people down there with clean drinking water and they say the big problem is getting the people to man those water purification plants down into that area. Of course the Myanmar government is still blocking that, and right now the western aid organizations tell us the situation has gotten so bad, that they're thinking of actually training Burmese to try and get those water purification plants into the area, but that of course could take another several weeks. Alina?
CHO: I have a question about some international aid, just at the ready trying to get in. I know there's a French navy ship with 1,500 tons of relief supplies ready to go in there to be distributed to the people. Are you hearing any movement on that aid getting into the country and getting to the people who need it?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, it's still very difficult. I mean apparently the Myanmar government is still holding that ship up, not allowing it to come into its water, to come into its territory, there was talk for a while about them bringing that aid into Yangon and then having it distributed to those areas that need it most. But apparently now the government is also still blocking that as well. What they have done now though is they've taken some foreign diplomats on a tour of the devastated area today, what the foreign diplomats, what one source there told us when they got back, is they said they were amazed at the lack of coordination at the rebuilding effort. They say they saw the army almost pitching in not at all in those areas, and said they were kind of hopeful to see at least some of the Burmese aid organizations were getting through, but they do say there is almost no international aid coming into those areas and certainly not getting to those very rural areas so that is still a very, very difficult situation down there. Alina?
CHO: The rural areas are always going to be the toughest to get to. We should mention the death toll climbing officially to 78,000, unofficially could rise to 128,000. Nearly 2.5 million people at risk for disease and starvation. We want to thank our correspondent on the ground inside Myanmar. And again, just to mention, we are not disclosing his name for security reasons.
HOLMES: We know so many of you out there would like to help with these tragedies we're seeing in different parts of the world. At cnn.com, we have a special page on the devastation in Myanmar, complete with links to aid agencies offering help for that region. Your chance to impact your world.
CHO: Other headlines we're watching today, President Bush opens two days of talks with Mideast leaders at Sharm El-sheikh, Egypt.
HOLMES: But so far, he's not really getting the type of warm reception he got in Israel a few days ago. The President and Mrs. Bush arrived in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt today. Mr. Bush met with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarek but neither spoke to reporters. Egypt's state run newspapers blasted President Bush for in their view tilting too far in Israel's favor in the Mideast conflict. Egypt is considered a key player and mediator in the long running Mideast feud.
CHO: Not far from where the president is right now, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made a surprise visit to Baghdad. She met with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki shortly after her arrival today. A U.S. embassy spokeswoman says Pelosi will also meet with other Iraqi officials and senior U.S. leaders during her stop.
HOLMES: Where was this program when I was in school? Hitting the books and getting paid for it.
CHO: It doesn't matter what your grades are, seems like a no brainer that a plan like that would help struggling high school students, at least some peple feel that way, there are others who disagree. We'll have an update and this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Screaming her son's name and said mom is coming for you. Excavator works his way through this pile of debris that is just devastating to look at.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Also a reporter's emotional account of horror and heartbreak, the desperate search for survivors of the China earthquake.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHO: Welcome back everybody. 15 minutes after the hour. You are looking at pictures from Lafayette, Louisiana, three hours west of New Orleans, where there's been a train derailment. Six cars containing hydrochloric acid derailed overnight. Two of those cars at this hour are leaking. There has been an evacuation of a one-mile radius. 3,500 residents involved. We want to get straight to Craig Stansbury, he is a lieutenant with the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office. Good morning Craig, thank you for joining us. Tell us, obviously there's going to be some concerns about the toxic fumes in the area. What are you advising your residents to do there?
CRAIG STANSBURY, LAFAYETTE PARISH SHERIFF'S OFFICE: Some of the symptoms we've been advised of hydrochloric acid may be some irritation to the skin, the eyes, what we're advising any individual that may think they have been exposed would be to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Using water to flush out any infected area is an advisory but just seek medical attention as soon as you can.
CHO: But is there anything people can do if they're in the immediate area and they don't get feel those symptoms yet? Should they be wearing surgical masks?
STANSBURY: What we're advising is if you're maybe just outside that evacuation area is you can close windows, turn off air conditioning systems to try to prevent any type of contamination that way?
CHO: Let's talk a little bit about this evacuation, 3,500 residents as I just mentioned, I understand the immediate one mile radius does include a nursing home, how are you getting the people out of the area?
STANSBURY: It is a mandatory evacuation. There's been an order stating that it's going to be mandatory. The nursing homes already have plans in place for emergency evacuations and we are asking that they put those plans in motion and they have done so already. We also have transportation for anyone that may not have transportation. Our officers along with state police, combined effort, are actually going door to door to advise people about the evacuation.
CHO: I understand a shelter has been set up at a school and there are two hospitals in the area as well. So obviously a big concern there. But tell me, lieutenant, what is your most immediate concern at this point?
STANSBURY: The most important thing is we get the people evacuated out of the mile radius. That's the immediate concern. We're doing that right now with the manpower that we have available, actually going door to door. We're getting the information out throughout the media, letting anyone know within that mile radius to evacuate. We're advising them to plan for maybe a 48 hour evacuation to remember to take meds or any medical supplies needed, pets if you need to do that, because once you've been evacuated until the situation is an all-clear, you would not be allowed back in the area.
CHO: You can see just the cloud above the area there, the toxic fumes after this train derailment. Lieutenant Craig Stansbury, we thank you for joining us, we know it's a very busy time for you, thank you for taking the time to talk to us.
STANSBURY: Thank you.
HOLMES: Dangerous time, we will continue to follow that story and continue to bring you updates as they happen there.
Meanwhile, we will turn back to some politics and the he said, he said that's going on right now. The battle over appeasement is getting louder.
CHO: It's far from over. John McCain and Barack Obama trading barbs and new emphasis for both candidates. We're live on the campaign trail.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHO: Welcome back. We are watching some breaking news out of Lafayette, Louisiana. That's about three hours west of New Orleans. Six car train derailment overnight. Really an incredible and dangerous situation. The six cars containing hydrochloric acid. At this hour we are told by the sheriff's office that two of those cars are leaking. There's a massive evacuation of the area under way. 3,500 residents, a one-mile radius that involves a nursing home and a makeshift shelter has been set up at a school. We are watching this story very closely, we'll have more as more details come in. T.J.?
HOLMES: More voters in two more states get ready to weigh in on the race to the White House. Kentucky and Oregon hold their primaries on Tuesday. For the candidates that means another nonstop day on the campaign trail. CNN's Deputy Political Director Paul Steinhauser joins us again from the CNN election express in Frankfort, Kentucky. I guess first just remind people that the democratic race is still going. We've got primaries still to get through.
PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: People have forgotten that in the last couple of days. But we do, we've got a primary here on Tuesday and in Oregon. You'll see Hillary Clinton all throughout Kentucky this weekend and Barack Obama is campaigning in Oregon, T.J. But all that's going on, it seems like we've almost gotten to the general election because of this firefight between John McCain and Barack Obama over appeasement over maybe negotiating with Iran and Hamas and that's really kind of stolen the spotlight over the last couple of days.
HOLMES: Is Hillary Clinton trying to get some of that spotlight back? Is she trying to interject herself into this debate which like you said seems like a general election debate now between Obama and McCain?
STEINHAUSER: It was interesting, right after George Bush said what he said in front of the Israeli parliament when he kind of in a veiled criticism said that, maybe directed at Barack Obama and the democrats saying those who talk with Iran, those who talk with Hamas criticizing that saying that it's almost like those who appeased Hitler before World War II. Hillary Clinton and just about every democrat in congress came to Barack Obama's defense and also criticized President Bush over this. It seemed like the party was almost coalescing around Barack Obama, but you're right, Hillary Clinton is out there, she's campaigning in Oregon yesterday, she was taking shots at George Bush not over that but over high gas prices and oil prices, she was criticizing George Bush for his trip to Saudi Arabia without getting many results there. So she's trying to get her voice out T.J. but it's kind of hard right now because Obama and McCain are really grabbing the spotlight.
HOLMES: Is it fair to say as well that Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama seem to be focusing on the states where they appear to be ahead and winning anyway. She's ahead in Kentucky in the polls, he's expected to win out in Oregon, so once again are we going to end up, wake up on Wednesday morning and still nothing is clear to us?
STEINHAUSER: Yeah you know what, you're absolutely right, the polls in this state do have Hillary Clinton up by double digits, all have her up by as much as 27 points. In Oregon, Obama seems to be the favorite there. He's up in double digits in the polls. We will have that split decision most likely on Tuesday with her winning big here in Kentucky, him winning big there in Oregon. The thing though is, that after these two states vote, we're down to three more primaries, that's all we have left. Puerto Rico on the first and then on the 3rd of June, we've got Montana and South Dakota. That's it, game over and by then, Barack Obama will be very, very close to those 2,026 delegates needed to clinch the nomination, it's a numbers game and it seems like the clock is winding out.
HOLMES: It's winding down. We will see what happens. Paul Steinhauser, thank you so much again from Kentucky.
CHO: We have some breaking news to report, some disturbing news, we're just getting word that Senator Ted Kennedy has been rushed to the hospital. Our John King joins us now on the phone with more on that. John, what do you know?
JOHN KING, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Not very much, unfortunately, but I was told by a prominent democratic source in Massachusetts that the 76-year-old Massachusetts senator was rushed from the Kennedy compound in Hyannis to Cape Cod Hospital early this morning. Our understanding from sources is that since then he either has been or is planned to be transferred to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. We have very few details but the source who relayed this information to me, who is again, a very well informed prominent Massachusetts democratic source said concern was that the senator had symptoms of a stroke when he was rushed to the hospital early this morning from the Kennedy compound in Hyannis. Unfortunately, we have very few details, we have tried to call some of the senate staff and some Kennedy associates in Washington. We are trying to get information from the hospital and others in Massachusetts. Most of those we have been able to reach at this hour in Washington were unaware of this dramatic development, but again we do know he was rushed from the Kennedy compound in Hyannis early this morning to the Cape Cod hospital. I am told he either has been or is in the process of being transferred to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Again this source saying the senator, who is 76 years old, the liberal lion of the senate, was apparently suffering symptoms of what appeared to be stroke-like symptoms. That's all we know at the moment.
CHO: John King, this story is breaking right now, we want you to stay with us, obviously the fact that he might be moving to Mass General in Boston from the Cape Cod Hospital is sign potentially that this could be very serious, John, stay with us, we're going to get to you right after the break. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHO: Welcome back. We want to update you on the breaking news we have been following. 76-year-old Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy as John King has been reporting, a liberal lion in congress rushed to the hospital in Cape Cod this morning. John King joins us now by phone. John, what do you know?
KING: Alino, all we know is that Senator Kennedy was rushed from the Kennedy Compound, the famous Kennedy compound in Hyannis, Massachusetts on Cape Cod, early this morning, sometime in the 8:00 or 9:00 hour this morning we are told, rushed to the hospital. And our one source relaying this information to us is a closely informed prominent democratic source in Massachusetts said he had symptoms of a stroke. Now we want to be careful with that, we're told symptoms of a stroke. We do not have any information from the hospital just yet.
But Senator Kennedy was taken to Cape Cod Hospital we are told. The source says that he has been told that the senator either is being transferred or has been transferred to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Although our Washington bureau just touched base with that hospital and they said they had no information and that Senator Kennedy at least was not on any public patient list. So we're trying to get more information from that hospital and from Cape Cod Hospital as well. But again, he's 76 years old. Senator Kennedy, the youngest of the three Kennedy brothers. Obviously prominently involved in democratic politics. His two older brothers assassinated. And at Cape Cod on the weekend as he often is, he spent the beginning of the spring up there, and he loves to go up and sail and be in the water. We're told he was rushed to the hospital this morning and unfortunately, we have very little information at the moment.
CHO: As you mentioned, a liberal lion of the senate, the most senior member of the senate, John, as you well know. As you also know, he recently endorsed Senator Barack Obama along with his niece Caroline Kennedy. Was he expected to get out on the campaign trail? I'm sure that the campaign, the Obama campaign will certainly be concerned and affected by this. But also, did you know of any health problems in recent years? I know you're a Boston native.
KING: Our Capitol Hill producer Ted Barrett just sent me an e- mail, he's helping our reporting this morning, just sent me an email about how Senator Kennedy was managing legislation on the floor of the senate just this past week. He has been very aggressive out on the campaign trail for Senator Obama. Not only in his own states, primary up in Massachusetts, but Senator Clinton actually won that primary, but Senator Kennedy was active there, he flew out to California after that, he's been very active during labor organizations in some of the other states. He has had a great mountainous step if you and a smile being active in this campaign, saying he greatly enjoys the energy and the inspiration of Barack Obama and that he has found a little spring in his step, if you will, being out during his campaign season. So certainly he has been an active campaigner and he is someone who is so closely identified Alina with the democratic party, but while he has been in the middle and at the head of so many partisan battles in Washington, he also has deep bipartisan respect in both parties for his work ethic, he is someone who worked tirelessly in the senate whether on the labor committee or on the judiciary committee. He has many friends even among his fierce political critic, a value Ted Kennedy's work in the senate.
CHO: A champion of health care and many other issues. Really one of six senators in U.S. to serve more than 40 years. John, I'm not sure if you're getting word of this. The Cape Cod Times is reporting that Ted Kennedy was put on a Medevac helicopter flight, on a stretcher, wheeled out around 10:15 a.m. eastern time. That would be a little more than an hour ago. I know your sources are reporting there have been no arrivals of yet at Mass General Hospital in Boston. But certainly a sign that if he is being transported it may be very serious, as you've been reporting, showing signs of a stroke, not a stroke, but showing signs of a stroke. We will continue to watch that story, I know John, you'll be working your sources very closely, we'll get back to you later.
KING: One quick thing if I can to make clear. If the Medevac left at that time as the newspaper's reporting, he would be in Mass General by now. But it would not be unusual if they had a prominent patient like Senator Kennedy and especially if he was receiving emergency trauma care or any emergency care, it would be some time before they would publicly acknowledge that. So that would not be inconsistent with him actually being at the hospital receiving treatment and the hospital staff of course may not even be aware that they have Senator Kennedy in their midst, but they obviously haven't been authorized to say he's there.
CHO: Most certainly they'll try to keep that quiet. As the news comes in we are learning Senator Ted Kennedy rushed to the hospital, we are following that story, John King is as well. And John, we'll get back to you later, John thank you. T.J.?
HOLMES: We are also following a fast moving story this morning. Developments in China where a very bad situation could possibly get worse. Tens of thousands of people who survived Monday's earthquake are fleeing their homes amid fears of a huge flood. The earthquake caused landslides that blocked a river in Beichuan County, creating two lakes that could burst over their banks. The mass evacuation is hindering efforts to rescue any remaining survivors from the rubble of Monday's earthquake. The latest official death toll in China, 28,881. Fears now that the final figure could hit as high as 50,000.
CHO: We have more on the relief effort there now. A U.S. air force cargo plane left Hawaii today, it's carrying food, tents and lanterns to central China. A second U.S. aid flight is coming in from Alaska, we're told. The Chinese-American community is helping with earthquake recovery efforts as well. There in San Francisco a banner there in the Chinatown appeals for donations, Chinese language newspapers are carrying similar appeals.
HOLMES: Well, every hour that passes reduces the likelihood of finding survivors in the rubble from China's earthquake, but despite the ever increasing odds, survivors are still being found. A German tourist was pulled out alive today. CNN's Kyung Lah reports on the race against time.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KYUNG LAH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A baby boy cradled in the arms of a nurse, his face bruised, but he's alive pulled from the debris after the earthquake, found in the arms of his dead grandmother. His parents, who thought he was gone, saw him on television, cradled in the nurse's arms.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: To the nurse who saved our baby, we thank you very much. It's you who saved our little baby's life.
LAH: That's the cry of a 5-year-old boy, rescuers pulled him free from what was his kindergarten in Beichuan, one eye swollen shut, the other can finally see the light after some 90 hours under the rubble. Across the earthquake zone, stories of survival. And moments of celebration. Families clinging to hope. But that is fading fast. Where one child is rescued, dozens of others lie in body bags on a basketball court. The government predicts the death toll could rise to 50,000. At the epicenter of the quake, soldiers buried 80 victims in the hope of avoiding the spread of disease. Chinese authorities rushed funeral workers to the area to cope with all of the bodies. China's president Hu Jintao offered comfort to victims telling them to hold on, tens of thousands are homeless and mourning lost loved ones, many are in need of medicine, food and supplies
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We don't have water, we have nothing, no water in the house.
LAH: Getting rescuers and supplies to Sichuan Province continues to be a struggle. Today, at least, there are still those few tales of survival. Two students pulled from the rubble of a school, but how many more of the living will be found. What happens to those left behind when there are no more miraculous stories of hope? Kyung Lah, CNN, Hong Kong.
(END OF VIDEOTAPE)
CHO: We are also watching some breaking news that's just coming into our newsroom, liberal lion of the senate, 76-year-old Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy rushed to the hospital from the Kennedy compound in Hainesport, Massachusetts there on Cape Cod, apparently taken to a hospital in Cape Cod. We're getting word from local reports that he may have been medevaced to Mass General Hospital in Boston, which would suggest the situation is serious. Our John King is working his sources saying that he was showing symptoms of a stroke. We have all calls out to all of our sources, we're watching it very closely, we'll have much more on the other side of the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Hello everyone, welcome back. We are following two major developing stories here in the CNN NEWSROOM. You're looking at pictures of what we are following here on the left and on the right. The story on the right, we'll talk about here in just a second. Happening evacuations in Louisiana, but on the left, you're seeing a picture of Senator Ted Kennedy who has been rushed to the hospital we understand this morning. Sources are telling our John King, had to be rushed to the hospital with symptoms that were consistent with that of a stroke, stroke-like symptoms again is what we're being told, what our CNN's John King is being told about the condition. He was rushed this morning apparently from the Kennedy compound in Hainesport, Massachusetts. Rushed to the hospital. Some reports out there now that he has been moved to a hospital, Mass General in Boston. We have not confirmed that yet, but again sources, a major democratic source there in Massachusetts telling us that the 76-year-old senator, liberal lion as he is described by our John King, certainly synonymous with the democratic party, and certainly a liberal beacon in that senate. A second most senior member of the senate right now, has been there quite some time, some 40 years. The younger brother of John and Robert Kennedy. There he is, Senator Ted Kennedy, had to be rushed to the hospital we understand this morning. Waiting to get more information about exactly where he is, if he in fact he had to be transferred to Boston, to the larger hospital and also what exactly his condition is. We're trying to get more possibly from our Sanjay Gupta to describe what the symptoms would be, but to describe the stroke-like symptoms. CHO: Safe to say that we have calls out to the best political team on television, all of our sources as well, including our own John King. Of course, important to point out if he was rushed by helicopter to Mass General Hospital in Boston that would be a sign that the situation is very serious. The other story we are watching very, very closely is happening in Lafayette, Louisiana, there you see the pictures full there, six train cars derailed overnight, containing hydrochloric acid. Two of those cars at this hour we are told by local authorities are leaking. There has been a mandatory evacuation of a one mile radius. 3,500 residents apparently affected by all of this. Toxic fumes in the area, we saw some daylight pictures earlier. Residents are being told to turn off air conditioners, keep their windows closed. If you do have to go out, of course, wear some sort of protection, some sort of surgical mask, but again, two fast-moving breaking news stories that we are watching very closely, one of a political nature, just incredible news, shocking news really that Senator Ted Kennedy has been rushed to the hospital. We will have much more on the other side of the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's what we call mother earth. In Argentina you'll find the town of Tilcara. It's a tourist area. I've made my whole life in Tilcara. There's no real environmental consciousness in Tilcara. We have a lot of issues to work on, water contamination. There's so much trash. Someone had to do something and I saw the opportunity.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My name is Carmen Salva. I began an environmental group to clean up my town and surroundings, together with children, young people and parents. I've been a teacher for 20 years. I believe that change begins with the child. They will teach how to care for nature and everything that's around us. The name for our group is hope for life. When we go out to clean on Saturday, there's about 60 to 100 people. We separate the recyclables and when we return, we load the lamas with bags of trash. When the children leave the group, they are the ones who pass on the lessons they have learned. It's really fulfilling when we come back to town and they feel like, well, they feel like heroes.
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HOLMES: We want to continue to update you on a breaking story we are seeing this morning about Senior senator in the U.S. Senate, Ted Kennedy has been rushed to the hospital this morning according to our John King, a major democratic source there in the state of Massachusetts telling us that he has been rushed to the hospital with stroke-like symptoms this morning. Now we do have an update and confirmation at least from the hospital spokesperson there in Cape Cod.
CHO: We should mention that he was rushed to the hospital in Cape Cod from the very famous Kennedy compound in Hainesport, Massachusetts at about 9:00 a.m., he spent less than an hour in the emergency room we're told by the hospital spokesperson and then he was transported, airlifted by helicopter to Massachusetts General Hospital. He was showing according to our sources who tell John King that he was showing symptoms that are consistent with a stroke. 76 years old, liberal lion of the senate, second longest serving member of the U.S. senate, just a champion of health care and minimum wage and other social issues. Most recently was seen endorsing Senator Barack Obama along with his niece Caroline Kennedy. John King and the best political team on television, working their source very closely, we've got calls out to everybody as we watch this breaking news story.
HOLMES: Even though he is a 76 years old man, certainly not by any accounts a young man any more, but still out there, just as vibrant and energetic and robust as anybody out there, according to our John King was expected to have a full on and has been expected to be out there and campaigning for Barack Obama, certainly his work has not stopped in the senate. He is always a fiery senator who has always put his heart and soul into health care, children's issues, education, and has held a full schedule. Many of those folks in the senate as we know keep some long hours, he has shown no signs of slowing up any where in the past several years that we've been watching him. So certainly hope that he is all right. But stroke- like symptoms, certainly scary to hear that but that's the report we're getting. Stroke-like symptoms, no confirmation of any kind from anyone in his camp about what has exactly has happened to him. Certainly some concern here that he had to be rushed to the hospital.
CHO: That's right, and important to point out, if he was in fact airlifted to Massachusetts General Hospital, just a wonderful well staffed hospital in Boston that it could be a sign that it is a serious situation. It also could be just a precaution, just remember we are talking about a very famous well-known U.S. senator, Ted Kennedy, known to every American, so potentially it could be just a precaution, certainly we all hope that is the case, but that story, we are watching very, very closely.
Another story T.J. we are watching very closely as you know is this train derailment on the right of your screen now. It's full, in Lafayette, Louisiana, three hours west of New Orleans. Six cars derailed overnight containing hydrochloric acid and two of those cars are leaking. There's been a mandatory evacuation of a one mile radius. 3,500 residents told to leave the area, that one mile radius by the way includes a nursing home. So a very touch and go situation there in Louisiana that we are following as well.
HOLMES: We will continue to keep an eye on both of these breaking stories this morning. Certainly the situation with Ted Kennedy and also this happening in Louisiana. A dangerous situation there. We will take a quick commercial break, continue to work our sources an these stories. We'll be right back.
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CHO: Welcome back. We are watching this breaking story very closely. 76-year-old Senator Ted Kennedy rushed to the hospital this morning. He was taken there by ambulance at 9:00 a.m. to Cape Cod Hospital from the very famous Kennedy compound in Hainesport, Massachusetts in Cape Cod. He has since been airlifted we're told to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Our Dan Lothian is on the phone right now, he is racing to Mass General. Dan, what do you know?
DAN LOTHIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-of): The hospital won't really give us any information, they won't confirm or they won't deny that he's actually there, but our information is that indeed he has been airlifted to Mass General Hospital. We are on our way there, I would only assume that this situation continues to develop that hospital officials will be giving us more information. We've also reached out to our contacts with Kennedy's office here in Boston, we're still waiting to hear back information from them. All we know he was airlifted to Mass General Hospital. We are on our way there and hope to have more information in a bit.
HOLMES: Dan, you know the area. Do you know much about the hospital there in Cape Cod? Is it a hospital that is pretty well equipped to handle most basic things we assume. But is it ill equipped if things got a little more serious of a situation? Would this be something we could expect to see for them to transfer him to a larger hospital in the area like Mass General in Boston?
LOTHIAN: Exactly, that would be the routine that is a hospital that handles a lot of different kinds of emergencies that happen down in that area of New England in the cape area, but if something is serious, Mass General would be the place where you would transfer them to, any kind of serious accident victim, that kind of thing, they might be taken to the closest hospital initially. And then for further treatment would be taken to Mass General. That is the hospital that can pretty much handle anything, that's the big emergency hospital here in Boston. That would be routine that the hospital down there is taken there for initial testing and treatment and then transferred to Mass General.
CHO: Dan, I understand that Senator Kennedy despite being 76 years old, was handling a pretty busy schedule at the time, one thing we should point out is that Mass General, of course, one of the most famous hospitals in the country, would handle serious situations or very high-profile patients. At this hour, we're not sure exactly which it is. Hopefully the latter, but having said that, as you know, Dan, Senator Kennedy recently endorsed Barack Obama, there we see some video of him at the endorsement rally there. Was he expected to go out there on the trail and be with Senator Obama?
LOTHIAN: We did see that initially. He's not been out on the trail as much as perhaps we thought. Initially, he did show up at a number of events with Barack Obama and other Kennedy members as well. You are correct in that he has kept a very busy schedule. In fact, according to his website at least, he was at a ribbon cutting yesterday in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Despite his age, he's still carrying on, still doing various events for Barack Obama and also still carrying on the duties of his office as well. Not sitting around and resting a whole lot, staying very active.
HOLMES: All right, Dan Lothian there for us, trying to make his way to the hospital there in Boston, Mass General in Boston, where we understand Senator Ted Kennedy has been transferred this morning after showing what is described as symptoms of a stroke. We are waiting to get some official word about his condition. Meanwhile getting close to the top of the noon hour here, our Fredricka Whitfield will continue our coverage of these two major stories, again this one on Ted Kennedy and also the situation we're watching in Louisiana where there has been some kind of a toxic leak. People have to be evacuated. Hello to you. I guess we know what you're going to be talking about.
CHO: You have a busy day.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Yeah, good to see you all. It's been a very busy morning, we're just going to carry the baton into the day. Two top stories here, Senator Ted Kennedy and of course this train derailment. Let's begin with Ted Kennedy and we're talking about the senior democratic senator heading to the hospital after being transferred from Cape Cod's hospital while he had been spending the weekend in Hyannis, Massachusetts and then transferred to this Massachusetts' General Hospital there because of these symptoms that are stroke-like. Sources are saying that 76-year-old senator was showing these symptoms. They addressed them immediately.
He's a leading liberal voice for two generations. Kennedy is the only surviving brother of President John F. Kennedy and one of just six senators in U.S. history to serve more than 40 years. Plus he's the second longest serving senator in Washington right now. We'll keep you posted as more information comes in. In the meantime, Dana Bash is in Washington. She has covered Capitol Hill for a very long time. Has established a good working relationship with the senator. She joins us now. Dana, this really is very alarming news clearly.
