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Clearwater Bicyclist Dies After Spill While Riding

November 16, 2005

Clearwater businessman George Spaulding, who apparently fell from his bike during a ride near his family's business in Safety Harbor, died at Tampa General Hospital.

Spaulding had been in a coma for nearly a month.

Mr. Spaulding strapped on his helmet and went for a ride that took him to Harbor Lake Drive in an industrial area of the city. At some point, two passers-by found Mr. Spaulding, who was conscious and lying on the pavement. A 10-month-old Rottweiler stood over him. His helmet was on the ground near his feet. They were helping him off the road when firefighter/paramedics arrived on the scene.

Rescuers took Mr. Spaulding first to Mease Countryside Hospital, and he was transferred that night to Tampa General, where he was put into a drug-induced coma. He had suffered a skull fracture, bruises on the brain and an infection, according to the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner's Office, which performed an autopsy.

Described as a gentle, friendly man, Mr. Spaulding, 51, was the president of Spaulding Craft, which manufactures columns for a family-owned division of Florida Columns. Mr. Spaulding leaves behind his wife of 15 years, Diane, and his daughter, Emily, 6, a first-grade student at Espiritu Santo Catholic Church school. 'He was a wonderful man, a kind guy,' said Charlie Poulton, president of the Bay City Flyers, a remote-controlled aircraft club that Mr. Spaulding belonged to. 'He was always willing to help . . . just a fine man. There's not a kinder, gentler man around. This is a major, major loss.'

Although the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office sent a deputy to the scene, authorities have not been able to determine whether the dog played any role in Mr. Spaulding's accident. Because authorities said the dog was creeping up and barking at the firetruck that night, it was taken to Pinellas County Animal Services. There were no bite marks on Mr. Spaulding, so the Rottweiler was given a rabies vaccine and released to its owner. Animal Services conducted an investigation, but could find no proof the dog was dangerous. But 'that dog will always have an open file,' said Linda Britland, an Animal Services field manager. 'If any witnesses come forward, we will revisit it,' she said.