Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter (right) rides a bicycle along side Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper in this file photo taken to promote riding bikes, using public transportation, and carpooling. (Governor's Energy Office photo) |
DENVER - Gov. Bill Ritter is up, walking, and joking around at Denver Health Medical Center Wednesday, a day after a bicycle crash in which his spokesman says he "went down hard." Evan Dreyer describes the governor's condition as stable and fair. It's unlikely he will be released from the hospital today.
"He did a classic shoulder roll, and separated his shoulder," Dr. Carlton Barnett said during a news conference at Denver Health Medical Center Wednesday. "Fractures are to his upper right ribs in front and back and around his shoulder." The doctor says the governor has six broken ribs.
"This is not an uncommon injury. We see two or three a week, Barnett said. "The primary therapy (for patients) is preventative care making sure there's pain control, and making sure they don't develop complications from breathing problems." Doctors want to make sure he doesn't develop anything such as pneumonia.
Barnett says so far the governor has done beautifully, but he could be in the hospital another couple of days.
Background
Spokesman Evan Dreyer says the governor sustained five or six fractured ribs when he "went down hard" after his bike ran into the back of another as Ritter was riding with a group of four people in the area of 23rd Ave. and High Street around 6 a.m. Tuesday.
No automobiles were involved in the accident.
"The governor and the rider who was just in front of him touched wheels." Dreyer said. "The governor went down. He was wearing his helmet but he bumped his head. And then the rider behind him came down as well."
The other cyclist had a wrist injury and reports said he did not need to go to the hospital.
Dreyer says the governor is an avid cyclist and regularly goes on morning rides through the city. They group was in the first half of their ride when the crash happened, Dreyer said.
Gov. Ritter was to remain in the hospital overnight for treatment and evaluation.
News of the governor's crash traveled quickly via social media. The following message appeared on Twitter from what would appear to be from one avid bike rider to another: "@lancearmstrong: I hear my good friend and Colorado Governor Bill Ritter had a bike crash and broke some ribs. Gov, be careful!! Get well soon."
Dreyer says Gov. Ritter is in good spirits, laughing and joking with hospital staff and his wife Jeannie. He didn't know how long the governor would be out of work.
"We've cleared his schedule for today, and we'll take it one day at a time," Dreyer said.
The governor remains in charge of the state, and the state's business was continuing as normal. Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien planned to stand in for Ritter at a couple of events Tuesday.
One of the messages the governor passed along after his accident was "wear your helmet if you're riding a bike. Anybody who rides a bike without a helmet is just nuts," Gov. Ritter told Dreyer. He always rides with a helmet, and he credits it with saving him from more serious injuries. The governor did have some scrapes and bruises, but no major "road rash," according to Dreyer.
"He did a classic shoulder roll, and separated his shoulder," Dr. Carlton Barnett said during a news conference at Denver Health Medical Center Wednesday. "Fractures are to his upper right ribs in front and back and around his shoulder." The doctor says the governor has six broken ribs.
"This is not an uncommon injury. We see two or three a week, Barnett said. "The primary therapy (for patients) is preventative care making sure there's pain control, and making sure they don't develop complications from breathing problems." Doctors want to make sure he doesn't develop anything such as pneumonia.
Barnett says so far the governor has done beautifully, but he could be in the hospital another couple of days.
Background
Spokesman Evan Dreyer says the governor sustained five or six fractured ribs when he "went down hard" after his bike ran into the back of another as Ritter was riding with a group of four people in the area of 23rd Ave. and High Street around 6 a.m. Tuesday.
No automobiles were involved in the accident.
"The governor and the rider who was just in front of him touched wheels." Dreyer said. "The governor went down. He was wearing his helmet but he bumped his head. And then the rider behind him came down as well."
The other cyclist had a wrist injury and reports said he did not need to go to the hospital.
Dreyer says the governor is an avid cyclist and regularly goes on morning rides through the city. They group was in the first half of their ride when the crash happened, Dreyer said.
Gov. Ritter was to remain in the hospital overnight for treatment and evaluation.
News of the governor's crash traveled quickly via social media. The following message appeared on Twitter from what would appear to be from one avid bike rider to another: "@lancearmstrong: I hear my good friend and Colorado Governor Bill Ritter had a bike crash and broke some ribs. Gov, be careful!! Get well soon."
Dreyer says Gov. Ritter is in good spirits, laughing and joking with hospital staff and his wife Jeannie. He didn't know how long the governor would be out of work.
"We've cleared his schedule for today, and we'll take it one day at a time," Dreyer said.
The governor remains in charge of the state, and the state's business was continuing as normal. Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien planned to stand in for Ritter at a couple of events Tuesday.
One of the messages the governor passed along after his accident was "wear your helmet if you're riding a bike. Anybody who rides a bike without a helmet is just nuts," Gov. Ritter told Dreyer. He always rides with a helmet, and he credits it with saving him from more serious injuries. The governor did have some scrapes and bruises, but no major "road rash," according to Dreyer.
