160kg patient in M’sia too heavy for ambulance, civil defence force transports him by lorry instead.

A man weighing 160 kg from Kelantan, Malaysia, was transported between hospitals by the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) using a lorry after an ambulance failed to accommodate his weight.

Emergency call at 1am

The APM of Pasir Puteh district in Kelantan reported that at around 1am on Jul. 6, their district captain, Nik Mohd Nor Nik Mat, received an emergency call to assist in transferring the 36-year-old patient to a hospital in another district in the state.

His team immediately mobilised five personnel, including one officer, and used a lorry to ensure the patient was transferred “safely and efficiently”.

Logistical needs and safety factors

"The decision to use a lorry was made based on logistical needs and safety factors so that delivery to HRPZ II (Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital) could be carried out without any risk or delay," he told Sinar Harian.

He added that the joint effort of the APM personnel and hospital staff expedited the process.

How much weight can an ambulance stretcher actually hold?

According to various manufacturers, the maximum load of ambulance stretchers varies, with some as high as 320 kg.

Some stretchers specialised for obese patients can even accommodate up to 680kg of weight.

However, some smaller models can only carry 158 kg.

In Singapore, the Red Lion Emergency Ambulance and Medical Services have ambulance stretchers that can transport patients with body weights of up to 220kg and wheelchairs that can support up to 170kg.

Top image via Apm Pasirputeh/Facebook