Dan Kelly, the 51-year-old assistant manager of the Washington Growers Clearing House in Wenatchee, WA, is expected to be released from Central Washington Hospital by this weekend (June 28-29). Mr. Kelly was admitted to the facility in critical condition the afternoon of June 25 following a bicycle accident.

WGCH Manager Kirk Mayer told The Produce News, "The report we have from the hospital [on June 26] is that he is in satisfactory condition."

According to Mr. Mayer, Mr. Kelly, who is an accomplished athlete, was bicycling on a fairly steep rural road during lunchtime, and the accident apparently occurred while he was descending the road. He was found intertwined in his bicycle by a couple driving north on Squilchuck Road. Mr. Kelly's front bicycle tire was flat, and his helmet was cracked. There was no evidence of involvement by any other vehicle in the accident.

The Chelan County Sheriff's Office reported that the couple discovered Mr. Kelly dazed and unresponsive, and they kept him still until emergency medical personnel arrived at the scene to administer aid.

Mr. Kelly's condition was upgraded on June 26, and the hospital allowed him to receive limited visitors that day. Mr. Mayer said that Mr. Kelly jokingly mentioned the fact that he "probably wouldn't be in to work [that day]."

Mr. Kelly has been an avid bicycler for a number of years and a participant in the Ridge to River Relay. "It's quite an event," Mr. Mayer stated. Various legs of the competition include sports such as skiing and bicycling, and Mr. Kelly has raced in both sports during the competition. He is also an instructor at the Mission Ridge ski area and is a former Special Olympics ski team coach.

In addition to his responsibilities with the Washington Growers Clearing House, Mr. Kelly also represents the organization on the advisory committee of the U.S. Apple Association in Vienna, VA.