Nepal crown prince suffers heart attack

KATHMANDU, Sep 6 (Reuters) Nepal's controversial crown prince suffered a heart attack today but was out of danger in a Kathmandu hospital, doctors said.

The 35-year-old Paras, known for his public image as a playboy prince as well as for reckless driving and nightclub brawls, was rushed to hospital from his home in Kathmandu.

''He had his artery blocked ... but was brought to hospital in time,'' Dr Shyam Bahadur Pandey told reporters.

''He is out of danger and is in a stable condition,'' he said.

Nepal's King Gyanendra and Queen Komal rushed to the hospital shortly after Paras was admitted.

Paras was named crown prince after Gyanendra was vaulted to the throne in 2001 when King Birendra and most other royal family members were killed in a palace massacre reportedly by then crown prince Dipendra, who later turned the gun to himself.

But Gyanendra became unpopular after he took over absolute powers in 2005 and he was forced to hand power back to political parties last year after street protests.

Elections are due in November for an assembly that will decide whether to retain the monarch or turn the Himalayan nation into a republic.

REUTERS JK PM1940