US: Harry Whittington, the Republican lawyer shot by Dick Cheney in a hunting accident in Texas last weekend, emerged from hospital yesterday and apologised to the vice-president for all the trouble the shooting had caused.
Mr Whittington, who suffered a minor heart attack when a shotgun pellet lodged near his heart, absolved Mr Cheney of any responsibility.
As he was discharged from hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas, he said: "We all assume certain risks in whatever we do, whatever activities we pursue.
"And regardless of how experienced, careful and dedicated we are, accidents do and will happen."
Mr Whittington, whose face was still bruised but who otherwise appeared healthy, said: "My family and I are deeply sorry for all that Vice-President Cheney and his family have had to go through this past week.
"We send our love and respect to them, as they deal with situations that are much more serious than what we've had to deal with this week."