Austin's 911 call released: Secretive ambulance request

The audio of the 911 call made before Lloyd Austin was hospitalized on January 1st for a urinary tract infection, following his prostate cancer surgery on December 22nd, has been released.

According to US media reports, the person who called for the ambulance for Austin, whose name was not disclosed, said during the call, "Can the ambulance come without lights and sirens? We don't want to attract attention."

The caller also stated that Austin did not have chest pain but felt like he was going to faint. Additionally, the caller inquired if it was possible for the ambulance to go to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center after picking up Austin. The 911 operator advised the caller to discuss this with the ambulance crew.

WHITE HOUSE KEPT IN THE DARK

The delayed announcement of US Defense Secretary Austin's hospitalization had drawn criticism in the US. Initially, the US Department of Defense (Pentagon) announced on January 5th that Austin had been hospitalized on January 1st and that his condition was good.

However, it was later revealed that the White House was kept in the dark about Austin's hospitalization for several days. A US official told the media that the White House was not informed of Austin's hospitalization until the morning of January 4th.

Austin, in his written statement, took responsibility for the "lack of communication," saying, "This was a medical procedure related to my health, and I take full responsibility for the decisions about my disclosure."

ANNOUNCED ON JANUARY 9TH

On January 9th, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center announced that Austin was diagnosed with prostate cancer in December, and his treatment was ongoing. It was stated that Austin underwent prostate cancer surgery on December 22nd and was rehospitalized on January 1st due to various complications, including "severe abdominal, hip, and leg pain, as well as nausea," and was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection.

Austin, who stayed in the hospital for several days, faced criticism for not informing US President Joe Biden about the situation. The Pentagon announced on January 15th that Austin was discharged from the hospital and would be resting and working remotely for a while.