Firefighters received a unique call to save a life in children's park—they were not prepared for the discovery they made
A team of rescue workers found themselves in a tough situation when they got a call from a children's park about an emergency concerning a 40-year-old man in Los Angeles, California. The dad had gotten inside the tube slide with his kids, but unfortunately, he ended up getting stuck in the middle. The Vernon Fire Department responded to the call and was able to get the man out of the slide in the next 30 minutes with help from additional apparatus, per a statement on Facebook.
The incident happened in the afternoon of August 16 and the Vernon Fire Department, Vernon EMS and Vernon PD were dispatched to Northeast Elementary School on East St for a "confined space rescue" of a 40-year-old man. "First units arrived on scene and found the patient wedged feet and head first down the slide and stuck in the middle portion." Additional help was called to the scene to make the rescue faster. "Additional apparatus and manpower were requested at the scene, including Rescue 141 and Tower 541." The emergency medical services provided oxygen to the man as he was in extreme discomfort. The authorities were also concerned about the hot temperatures on that day.
"Ventilation was also set up to help cool the space in which the patient was stuck," the department revealed. Rescue 141 set up the tools for extrication and Tower 541 set up near the playground, so they could use an aerial ladder to stabilize the section of the slide that had to be removed to reach the man. The dad was freed within 30 minutes of rescue work and was then evaluated by the emergency medical services present at the scene. He refused treatment and transport to a local emergency room. "While this is a unique call for service for the fire department, the professionalism shown on scene was exemplary," the authorities said, applauding the work done at the scene.
Many people shared their concerns about the slide and appreciated the department for their work in the comments section of the post. Liane Fisher wrote, "As a teacher, I hate these types of slides. You can’t see what the kids are doing inside them and sometimes they will stay inside and other kids go down and then there’s multiple kids in there." Carla Mitchell commented, "This was a fear of mine when I was pregnant many, many years ago. My oldest wouldn't get out of the play cape and thought it was funny, 'you can't get me, mommy' omg. Went partway in and was like 'Nope! If I get stuck trying to get you, you are grounded for life!'"
StaceAnn Morgan remarked, "They would have had to take me directly to the psychiatric hospital. I have always wanted to try going down the slide just once more as an adult. What happened here, however, is one of my fears. I give him a Lion Heart trophy for trying. Now I know for certain, I can't do it. There is no shame in him trying; it's a damn shame in the design he got stuck. It could have happened to a larger child also. Glad he isn't hurt." Diane Boudreau suggested, "Time to install a clear top so you can see what's happening and an escape hatch."