Ronald Reagan breaks hip in fall

Former President Reagan has broken his hip in a fall at his home in Santa Monica.

He was taken by ambulance to St John's Health Centre, where he will have surgery on Saturday.

Mr Reagan, who turns 90 on February 6, is resting comfortably.

His spokeswoman Joanne Drake described it as "just a simple fall".

The former president's wife, Nancy, went with him to the hospital after his fall.

Ms Drake said the surgery would probably involve installing a pin in the hip.

Mr Reagan disclosed in November 1994 in a letter to the American people that he has Alzheimer's disease.

The nation's 40th chief executive faded from public view a short time later and has been rarely seen outside his home.

He discontinued going to his Century City office in 1999 but still made trips to parks and enjoyed strolls on the Venice Beach boardwalk with his Secret Service contingent.

Ms Drake said that Mr Reagan's children had been notified of his fall, including eldest daughter Maureen, who has been undergoing cancer treatments at the same hospital since December 11.