Baldacci hospitalized briefly after re-injuring rib

AUGUSTA – Gov. John Baldacci had to skip a weekend visit to a national education conference in Washington after being hospitalized briefly for re-injuring one of the ribs he broke earlier this month.

Baldacci was watching television with his son Friday night when he turned and heard a rib snap, spokesman Lynn Kippax said.

Baldacci was taken to MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta around 8:30 p.m. Friday and kept overnight for observation before being released Saturday.

“The governor was watching television, seated on a couch, turned his torso, and heard a pop,” Kippax said. “Then he decided that’s when he needed to come to the hospital to get an X-ray.”

Baldacci broke three ribs on Feb. 16 as he walked down the steps at the rear entrance of the Blaine House to pick up the morning newspapers. He was released shortly thereafter and returned to the governor’s mansion.

Baldacci had expected to participate in a National Education Summit on High Schools, held in Washington, D.C., during the weekend.

State Education Commission Susan Gendron attended the conference, held in conjunction with the National Governors’ Association’s winter meeting.