Kennedy's former wife found injured on street

The former wife of Senator Edward Kennedy is recovering in hospital after suffering concussion and a broken shoulder when she fell in the street.

The former wife of Senator Edward Kennedy is recovering in hospital after suffering concussion and a broken shoulder when she fell in the street.

Joan Kennedy has been through a series of programmes for treating alcoholism, though a neighbour said that there was no indication she had been drinking.

Constance Bacon, who lives in the same Boston neighbourhood as Mrs Kennedy, told the Boston Globe she had seen a well-dressed woman sprawled in the street in the rain. There was a cut on her head.

"She said she was OK, but she didn't look OK," said Ms Bacon, who was unaware of Mrs Kennedy's identity until she was later contacted by a television crew. She said that she helped Mrs Kennedy to her feet, called the emergency services, and held an umbrella above her head until an ambulance arrived.

Mrs Kennedy's three children, Kara Kennedy Allen, 45, Edward Kennedy Jnr, 44, and Patrick Kennedy, 37, recently took temporary guardianship of their mother to ensure she receives alcoholism treatment. Patrick Kennedy, a Congressman, is also seeking to become her permanent legal guardian. He announced earlier this week that he has decided against a Senate run in 2006.

Senator Ted Kennedy said he was proud of his children for their loyalty to his former wife, whom he divorced in 1982.