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Nov 8, 2007 5:35 pm US/Central
N. Texas Woman Dies After Triathlon Injuries
PLANO (CBS 11 News) ―
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Dorothy Barnett-Griffin competed in other events leading up to the Ironman Triathlon in Florida.
Journey Of Hope
Dorothy Barnett-Griffin, the Collin County woman who participated in the Ironman Triathlon this weekend in Florida died after injuries she suffered during the swimming event.
Family representatives said Barnett-Griffin, who had trained for the event in hopes of showing her children "anything is possible," was an organ donor.
She and her husband, Mike Griffin, trained together and competed in the event. Barnett-Griffin was on the last lap of the swimming portion when she went under the water, witnesses said. She was immediately pulled out and taken to the hospital.
Mike Griffin already had completed that leg and had moved on to the run portion.
Doctors believe the 43-year-old Barnett-Griffin slowly aspirated water during that part of the competition, but are not sure of exactly why she went under water.
The couple were raising money for the Journey of Hope Grief Support Center in Plano, where Barnett-Griffin found comfort after the death of her first husband five years ago.
She is survived by three children -- Kim, Derek and Zachary -- from her first marriage.
The Barnett children, Barbara's parents, her in-laws and her sister traveled to Florida to watch the couple compete in in Panama City.
Barnett-Griffin also was a board member for Journey of Hope.
Earlier in the week, doctors performed two brain surgeries to alleviate swelling.
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