ACCIDENTS IN SAN JUAN COUNTY

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Gann: 'Spirits high'; 'fasten your seatbelt'

posted 1/8/01
Dodie Gann is "alive" and thankful for her caring friends after surviving a rollover accident. "My spirits are high and I'm surrounded by wonderful, wonderful people," Gann said from her San Juan Valley home Sunday, Jan. 7.

Gann, who wasn't wearing a seatbelt, suffered a broken rib and nose, a dislocated hip, damage around an eye and numerous bumps and bruises in the crash on the afternoon of Dec. 30 on San Juan Valley Road. She was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle where she treated. The hospital released her Thursday, Jan. 4, 2001.

A dog lover, Gann is happy to be back with Annie, her canine companion. Annie, a shaggy cross-breed, also was tossed about in the accident. "She was rattled but came through," Gann said.

Gann's Subaru Forester was totaled even before rescue workers cut it off to reach her. Demonstrating her humor isn't hurting, Gann said, "I'm going to call the Subaru dealership and ask if they have a Forester with seatbelts."

Though she jokes, Gann said her ordeal should be a "lesson" for all. "Fasten your seatbelt," she urged.

Gann in satisfactory condition

posted 12/31/00
San Juan Island resident Dodie Gann is out of intensive care and in satisfactory condition in Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. She was injured in a rollover accident Saturday on San Juan Valley Road.

She was driving into town with her dog when her car went off the road and hit the edge of a culvert east of Douglas Road. According to Sheriff Bill Cumming the car flipped at least once, possibly twice. The vehicle ended up facing the opposite direction.

Rescue workers secured the car with a cable and removed the roof using a jaws of life tool. Gann was taken to Islands Hospital in Anacortes and then transferred to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

A hospital spokesperson contacted at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, said she was awake and talking and her injuries were being assessed. When contacted at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, the nursing supervisor said Gann was out of intensive care and listed in satisfactory condition.