"At that point he said 'no I'm not feeling well' and that's when he started to lean on me."
Ward gently laid Fothergill down and they used banners for the event to shield him from those in attendance.
Whanganui & Partners strategic lead - business Rhonda Morris is a trained medic and was able to help out, as was a member of the crowd who was a retired nurse.
Fothergill was taken to hospital for treatment, although Ward was not sure whether he was still there or not.
"We've had no official report from a medical professional, but we've got reports from close friends that he's doing well, is in good spirits and good humour as well," Ward said.
"That's the old Myles. We all took a fright when he had a bit of a lapse in his thinking and a bit of a pain in his head.
"Even though I've only worked with Myles for three months, I've got the utmost respect for him. It was like seeing a very close friend go down which no one ever wants to see."
Fothergill sustained a series of serious injuries when he crashed his motorcycle during a practise lap in 2016.
He suffered broken ribs, fractured vertebra, a broken collarbone and a punctured lung in the crash.
Fothergill has 35 years experience in the marine industry and is the managing director of Q-West boat builders on Gilberd St in Castlecliff.
For most of Tuesday, he and Ward were at a board meeting with a full agenda, during which Fothergill seemed to be fine.
Ward said that the public forum will now take place on May 14 in the same location at 5.15pm.
"Myles was really keen to get our key messages across and hear from the public," Ward said.
"My understanding is he'll be back fighting fit."
