No Joke - A Serious American Problem

Emergency services are battling a huge weight problem often with scales tipped against them as call-outs from tubbies in trouble rocket. Firefighters are struggling to cope with an increasing number of calls to move grossly overweight people.



The calls often come from paramedics who need extra manpower for the job and the North East Ambulance service today revealed it is getting two new specially designed ambulances to transport large people.

Gary Wilson, sub-officer at Cramlington fire station, said: "In hospitals they have proper hoists for this sort of thing, but in the confines of a home it can be a big struggle."

The sad thing is these grossly overweight people are usually in pain and they have to suffer the distress of being manhandled to get them moved.

Photo Credit: Digital Journal

Original post traces back to Evening Chronicle - Newcastle-upon-Tyne