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Heat, Humidity Take a Toll on Day John McCain Is Honored at Capitol

At least two people waiting to pay respects collapse in line

 Members of the press wait outside of the Capitol building for the casket of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., to arrive where he will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda Friday August 31, 2018. (Photo By Sarah Silbiger/CQ Roll Call)
 Members of the press wait outside of the Capitol building for the casket of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., to arrive where he will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda Friday August 31, 2018. (Photo By Sarah Silbiger/CQ Roll Call)

Multiple people collapsed outside the Capitol Tuesday while waiting in line to pay their respects to Sen. John McCain, who lay in state in the Rotunda.

Temperatures were in the mid-80s but humidity was high after morning rainstorms and Capitol Police sought assistance from the crowd to get immediate help to some of those who collapsed.

Other people in line supplied water, ice packs and Gatorade until medical assistance arrived.

A Capitol Police officer stationed near a Senate entrance said there have been close to 30 calls over the radio for medical assistance for people in line outside to pay their respects to the late Arizona senator. He said the heat was likely having a big impact.

Watch: Ryan, McConnell and Pence Honor McCain at the Capitol

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The barricades that were keeping the lines separated were opened to allow small Washington emergency medical response vehicles in to remove the two patients.

Red Cross personnel brought ice packs and were walking through the lines looking for people in need of assistance.

Visitors are not permitted to bring food or beverages into the Capitol. Bottled drinks were included on list of prohibited items for those attending the lying in state provided by the Capitol Police.

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