Joan Rivers rushed to hospital after the comedian 'stopped breathing' during surgical procedure

Joan Rivers was hospitalized Thursday morning after she experienced complications during an outpatient surgical procedure she was undergoing. Rivers was taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital in Manhattan, New York. Her daughter, Melissa Rivers, is reportedly on her way to the hospital. 

Mt. Sinai released a statement today regarding Rivers' admission: "This morning, Joan Rivers was taken to the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, where she is being attended to. Her family wants to thank everybody for their outpouring of love and support. We will provide an update on her condition as it becomes available." 

Rivers hosts the show "Fashion Police" on E! which is owned by NBCUniversal. The network also released a statement regarding the comedian and host's serious condition, stating: "E!, Fashion Police and NBCUniversal continue to send thoughts and prayers to Joan, Melissa and their entire family."

According to reports, Rivers was at a doctor's office "on 93rd Street," which is near Mt. Sinai Hospital, when she experienced either a cardiac or respiratory arrest, according to Detective Kellyann Ort of the NYPD in a statement he gave to the LA Times. At that point emergency medical services were called, and they immediately took the 81-year-old comedian to Mt. Sinai. 

A spokesperson for the New York Fire Department would only state that they did receive a 911 call near 9:30 this morning that fit the description of Rivers' situation, however, they would not confirm that the patient was indeed her. 

Apparently Rivers was having some sort of throat procedure when the incident occurred, which some have speculated may have been some type of vocal cord surgery. Reportedly, Rivers stopped breathing during the procedure and was in "critical condition" when emergency medical personnel arrived on the scene. 

The New York Daily News reported that Rivers' "assistant" Graham Reed was heard telling someone that Rivers was at that point "not conscious, but she's stable." E! News also reported via a source that the star of "Fashion Police" is currently in stable condition at Mt. Sinai.

According to the Times, Rivers' publicist has yet to respond officially to requests for comment on her client's condition.