1.
GV STRETCHER LIFTED FROM SNOWMOBILE TRAILER
0.16

2.
CU AMBULANCE MAN
0.21

3.
GV AMBULANCE MAN ATTENDED TO PATIENT
0.24

4.
SV DITTO
0.25

5.
CU PATIENT
0.29

6.
LV PATIENT LIFTED ONTO TRAILER
0.38

7.
SV DRIVER OF SNOWMOBILE ABOARD
0.40

8.
CU IGNITION SWITCHED ON
0.41

9.
SV DRIVER STARTS ENGINE AND TAKES SEAT, AMBULANCE AWAY (2 SHOTS)
0.57



Initials DHC/N/JB/ES



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: AN AMBULANCE WITH A DIFFERENCE WAS DEMONSTRATED IN MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA THIS WEEK. THE "SNOWMOBILE RESCUE UNIT" IS DESIGNED TO MOVE INTO WINTRY AREAS INACCESSIBLE TO MOST VEHICLES AND CONVENTIONAL AMBULANCES, IN PARTICULAR.

THE SNOWMOBILE UNIT -- NORMALLY MOUNTED ON A RIG -- IS TOWED BY A STANDARD AMBULANCE, AND CAN BE DETACHED QUICKLY. ATTACHED TO THE SNOWMOBILE IS A STRETCHER MOUNTED ON A LARGE SLED. THE STRETCHER SECTION OF THE SNOWMOBILE IS EQUIPPED WITH OXYGEN AND OTHER EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT.

OFFICIALS SAY THE EQUIPMENT CN CROSS ICE-LOCKED LAKES, CUT THROUGH WOODS OR MOVE EASILY THROUGH DEEP SNOW, AND THUS SAVE THE TIME THAT COULD SAVE A LIFE.

AN AMBULANCE COMPANY PUT FORWARD THE SNOWMOBILE LAST WINTER, PRIMARILY FOR OBSTETRIC CASES. THE SLED WAS PERFECTED IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR, BUT HAS NOT YET HAD A RUN UNDER REALISTIC CONDITIONS.