Scientist Stephen Hawking rushed to hospital in ambulance

April 20, 2009 Scientist Stephen Hawking, 67, has been taken to a hospital in an ambulance after falling very ill, reports.

According to a physicist at in the United Kingdom, "Professor Hawking is very ill" and had been rushed to  in  to undergo tests.

His condition is not yet known, but according to the University, Hawking has been ill with a chest infection for a few weeks. On April 6, he cancelled an appearance at due to his illness. Hawking also suffers from severe.

"He [Hawking] is undergoing tests. He has been unwell for a couple of weeks," said the university in a statement. In a later statement, the University stated that Hawking was resting comfortably "but will be kept in hospital overnight" for observation.

head Peter Haynes offered his sympathy saying, "Professor Hawking is a remarkable colleague. We all hope he will be amongst us again soon." Hawking has worked in the same department as Haynes for over 30 years.