Rep. Murtha died after doctors accidentally cut intestines: report

Veteran congressman John Murtha (D-Penn) died from an infection after doctors accidentally cut into his intestine during routine surgery, Fox News confirmed on Monday.

The 77-year-old died at 1:18 p.m. on Monday with his family by his bedside at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, Virginia.

He was first hospitalized with gallbladder problems in December and had scheduled surgery to remove his gallbladder on January 28 at the National Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Md.

He went home, but was hospitalized again two days later when complications developed, ending up in intensive care at Virginia Hospital.

According to a source close to Murtha - confirming a report in Politico - doctors inadvertently cut his intestine during the surgery, causing an infection.

President Barack Obama ordered flags to fly at half-staff as he led tributes for a congressman whose influence in both domestic and foreign policy matters spanned more than three decades.

Murtha had a "tough-as-nails reputation" and a "passion for service," President Obama said in a written statement.

He was "a steadfast advocate for the people of Pennsylvania" and "a respected voice on issues of national security," Obama added.

Chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, Murtha was known by some critics as the "King of Pork" for steering some US$2 billion in taxpayer money to his district over the last 18 years.

First elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in February of 1974, Murtha, a former Marine, became the first Vietnam War combat Veteran elected to the U.S. Congress.

This past Saturday, February 6, 2010, Murtha became Pennsylvania’s longest serving Member of Congress.