Invercargill City Mayor Nobby Clark is recovering in Dunedin Hospital after having heart surgery on Wednesday.

Mayor Clark suffered a minor heart attack on the afternoon of Wednesday 27 December, after which he attended Southland Hospital and was admitted overnight as a precaution. The following day, he was transferred to Dunedin Hospital for further tests, where he has remained since.

Mayor Clark underwent surgery on Wednesday for a double bypass. He is now in ICU recovering. Mayor Clark was originally scheduled to have a quadruple bypass but only required a double bypass.

Deputy Mayor Tom Campbell said Mayor Clark will likely remain in ICU for at least 24 hours and there would be no further comment to make at this stage.

“I am pleased to hear surgery went well, and myself and all the Councillors wish Nobby a speedy recovery.”

Mayor Clark’s overall recovery was likely to take a couple of months and Cr Campbell would take the reins at Council until such time the Mayor was ready and able to return, Cr Campbell said.