Sen. McCain's mother in Portugal clinic after fall

Roberta McCain, mother of Republican presidential nominee Senator John McCain (R-AZ) smiles during a rally in Downingtown, Pennsylvania October 16, 2008.

LISBON (Reuters Life!) - The 97-year-old mother of former U.S. presidential candidate Sen. John McCain was in the emergency ward of a Portuguese hospital Friday after falling in a Lisbon street the previous night.

"The patient is in observation, undergoing various medical tests, and in a stable clinical condition," the Sao Jose hospital in downtown Lisbon said in a statement, naming the patient as Roberta Wright McCain.

Local media said Roberta, an avid traveler, arrived in Lisbon alone, checked into a hotel Thursday afternoon, and was found in the street a few hours later by an ambulance crew with minor injuries to her face and head due to the fall.

McCain's office confirmed that his mother was the woman in hospital, but had no immediate comment. Arizona Sen. McCain, who lost last year's election to President Barack Obama, is 73.

(Reporting by Andrei Khalip and Vitor Moreira in Lisbon; additional reporting by Deborah Charles in Washington; editing by Jon Boyle and Paul Casciato)