ETV editor says Vaga wanted to return after on-air health scare

Kristo Enn Vaga wanted to return to a live television debate after suffering a health problem, but was taken out of the studio and given medical attention, ETV current affairs editor-in-chief Peep Kala told ERR’s programme Ringvaade.

Vaga, the secretary-general of Estonia’s Reform Party, became unwell during Wednesday’s live broadcast of First Studio. Kala said the seriousness of the situation was not immediately clear, so presenters Liisu Lass and Andres Kuusk initially continued the programme.

Kala said he saw Vaga briefly fall over but did not know whether he had lost his vision or simply lost his balance. Kuusk and Eesti 200 politician Peeter Tali helped him up and offered him the chance to leave the frame. Vaga refused and said he wanted to continue the debate. Kuusk brought him a chair, and Vaga indicated that he wanted to speak.

After the programme continued, Kala noticed from the control room that Vaga’s speech was becoming incoherent. He told the presenters to move away from the shot, went to the studio and escorted Vaga out. Kala checked his pulse and breathing and said Vaga did not lose consciousness or contact at any point.

Vaga wanted to return to the programme, telling Kala to give him the opportunity to respond to the opposition’s arguments. That did not happen. An ambulance arrived and examined him, after which Vaga’s wife also came to the studio and medical staff took over.

Kala said similar incidents had occurred before on the programme UV Factor, although they had not usually been shown to viewers. He said people may feel unwell because of the pressure of live broadcasting, studio lighting or heat, and may return to the programme after a few minutes.

He said the incident had already been analysed and that the review would continue to prepare for a similar situation in the future. Kala said it had initially appeared that the problem was not serious, and that it was not serious.