Bear Medicine
Mood:
Furry
Read/Post Comments (0)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1241749,00.html
Bear strolls into dead end at hospital
Oliver Burkeman in Washington
Friday June 18, 2004
The Guardian
Unequal access to healthcare is one of America's most urgent social crises, but it didn't seem to pose any problems for a black bear weighing 156kg (345lb) which sauntered unseen into a Virginia hospital and wandered the corridors before being caught and shot dead.
Taking advantage of the Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital's wheelchair-friendly design, the elderly male approached the building on Tuesday and activated a sensor that automatically opened its doors. It strolled through the hallways, under the gaze of CCTV cameras, passing several alarmed onlookers before reaching a computer room.
An off-duty police officer working as a hospital security guard was summoned and shut the door, trapping the bear inside.
"I think I startled him as much as he startled me," the officer, Dan Thompson, told the Roanoke Times. But plans to sedate the bear were abandoned, a game warden said, because it might break loose and injure patients. An officer shot it twice.
The local wildlife department warned Virginia residents to seal their rubbish bins and never leave food out for bears, because it eliminated their fear of humans.
(Thanks to the Forteana list!)
Bear strolls into dead end at hospital
Oliver Burkeman in Washington
Friday June 18, 2004
The Guardian
Unequal access to healthcare is one of America's most urgent social crises, but it didn't seem to pose any problems for a black bear weighing 156kg (345lb) which sauntered unseen into a Virginia hospital and wandered the corridors before being caught and shot dead.
Taking advantage of the Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital's wheelchair-friendly design, the elderly male approached the building on Tuesday and activated a sensor that automatically opened its doors. It strolled through the hallways, under the gaze of CCTV cameras, passing several alarmed onlookers before reaching a computer room.
An off-duty police officer working as a hospital security guard was summoned and shut the door, trapping the bear inside.
"I think I startled him as much as he startled me," the officer, Dan Thompson, told the Roanoke Times. But plans to sedate the bear were abandoned, a game warden said, because it might break loose and injure patients. An officer shot it twice.
The local wildlife department warned Virginia residents to seal their rubbish bins and never leave food out for bears, because it eliminated their fear of humans.
(Thanks to the Forteana list!)
Read/Post Comments (0)
Previous Entry :: Next Entry
Back to Top
