Accident haunts horror writer King

Best-selling US author Stephen King was expected to remain in a Maine hospital for several days as he recovers from pneumonia, a spokesman said.

King is conscious and in good spirits in Eastern Maine Medical Centre, and is expected to recover fully, his spokesman, Warren Silver, said yesterday.

Mr Silver told the Bangor Daily News there appears to be a connection between the pneumonia and a 1999 accident in which King was struck by a van and nearly killed while walking near his summer home. He suffered a punctured lung and a broken leg, hip and ribs in the accident.

The puncture resulted in a “fair amount” of scar tissue in King’s lungs, creating what doctors see as a vulnerability to ailments such as pneumonia, he said.

The best-selling author had been diagnosed with pneumonia in his right lung before a recent trip to New York to receive an honorary National Book Award for lifetime achievement. His condition worsened when he returned to Maine and the pneumonia spread to the other lung.

“He had been walking around with it, and it got worse and worse,” Mr Silver said.

King checked into the hospital on Sunday. He underwent a procedure on Tuesday to remove fluid and scar tissue from the right lung.

The 56-year-old, whose best sellers include Carrie and The Shining, requested no visitors except his family, and no flowers.

“Stephen and his family ask only for good wishes and prayers, and at this time, when we celebrate the bounty of our country, that we remember those who are in need,” said a statement from Mr Silver.