DISASTER FUND CREATED FOR GERRY FOWLER, SURVIVOR OF 35-FOOT FALL INTO WELL IN POTRERO

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By Nadin Abbott

March 13, 2013 (Potrero)—Community members in Potrero are rallying to raise funds to help pay for the medical expenses of Gerry Fowler, who was critically injured on Sunday March 10 when he fell into the family's well, as ECM reported. Fowler, an independent truck driver, does not have medical insurance. 

Walena Arnold, owner of the Potrero General Store told ECM that the community is very close knit and that a fund has been created to help defray the medical costs.  Blood donations are also needed and can be made in Gerry Fowler’s name at the San Diego Blood Bank.

Arnold  said that she’s known the family since she moved to Potrero and bought the town’s historic general store in 2005.

Fowler was working on repairs to the well when boards beneath him collapsed and he fell into the water 35 five feet down, where he was trapped beneath concrete slabs.  After a dramatic two-hour rescue by firefighters, he was transported to Sharp Memorial by Mercy Air.

Gerry Fowler is the son of Thell Fowler, a member of the Potrero Planning Group who has been credited with saving neighbors’ homes with a garden home during the 2007 Harris wildfire. Now the community is pitching in to help his family in their time of need.

According to Thell, his son is still in critical condition. His injuries are extensive, including a head injury and fractures, so this will be a long recovery.

A fund has been created by the Kiwanis of Potrero. Checks can be made to the Potrero Community Center Foundation. The address is PO Box 116, Potrero CA 91963. The donation is tax deductible and donations of all amounts will help. For more information, call:

Thell Fowler - 619-992-9047

Gordon Hammers - 619-478-5000

 

If you happen to physically drive by the General Store, 25125 Highway 94, Arnold has a collection box there. I left a personal donation in the box as well.


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