Hillary collapses during speech

Victoria Ward, New York

The Democrat senator told her audience at the local Chamber of Commerce that she was feeling ill and weak, before collapsing as she started to speak.

It is understood she had been suffering from a 24-hour bug and was not taken to hospital. She was treated by an emergency crew at the scene and vowed to continue with her day's engagements.

A doctor at the private club where she collapsed asked about her symptoms and checked the senator's vital signs, said a Clinton aide who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Ms Clinton, 57, was smiling when she walked out of the club, the general manager said.

"I saw her walk out the door by herself, she smiled and said 'thank you'," said Saturn Club general manager Vincent Tracy.

Ms Clinton had started to speak before asking to sit down and taking a drink of water, she said.

A few seconds later she announced she could not continue, stood up for 30 seconds and then collapsed.