Ever gone 50mph in a wheelchair?

[thrasher]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19088976/

PAW PAW, Mich. - A man was taken on a wild ride when his wheelchair became lodged in the grille of a semitrailer and was accidentally pushed down a highway for four miles at about 50 mph, authorities said.

The 21-year-old man, whose name was not released, was unharmed but was taken to a hospital as a precaution. He had been secured to his wheelchair by a seat belt.

“The man spilled his soda pop, but he wasn’t upset,” said Sgt. Kathy Morton of the Michigan State Police.

About 4 p.m. Wednesday, a caller told police dispatchers, “You are not going to believe this: There is a semi truck pushing a guy in a wheelchair on Red Arrow Highway,” state police said in a release.

Prank call?
Authorities initially wondered whether the report was a prank call until others called with similar reports.

Officers stopped the truck — wheelchair still attached — at a trucking company. The driver didn’t believe officers until he stepped from his cab and saw for himself.

“When he saw us, he was like, ’What’s going on?”’ Morton said.

An investigation revealed the man in the wheelchair had pulled in front of the truck at a gas station and it somehow became lodged by its handles to the front grille.

Must have been one hell of a trip...it'll make a great story to tell the grandkids.

[YogsVR4]

One heck of a scary ride - he had to wonder how long the chair would hold up.

[beef_bourito]

hahaha that'd be awesome.... unless you crashed and became paralysed from the waist down

[BeZerK2112]

Makes me think what I would do in that situation as I smelt my tires burning... Most likely scream on the inside.

[Oz]

Awesome story.

I wonder what state the wheelchair is in?

[alphalanos]

Oh man that has to be scary. Imagine seeing that while youre driving. Luckily the chair didnt break of the driver would have felt awful.

[blazee]

Originally Posted by Oz

Awesome story.

I wonder what state the wheelchair is in?

Michigan.

[stieh2000]

That must have been one helluva wheelchair to withstand 50mph for 4 miles like that.

I wish I could go for a ride like that, knowing that I would be safe of course.

[2.2 Straight six]

never done that kind of speed in a wheelchair.

but have been in a shopping cart attached to a truck with a top strap. driving around an enormous parking lot going fully sideways. it was awesome.

[speediva]

Originally Posted by Oz

Awesome story.

I wonder what state the wheelchair is in?

I saw some footage of the condition of the wheels... pretty gnarly.

The guy said the ride was surprisingly smooth, though.

[Bad81bu]

I have been in a wheelchair for about 10 years (paralized from the waist down from a motorcycle) now and i just dont see how that can happen, as the handles on the back of my chair (if they were there) didnt stick out farther than the wheels do in the back so i dont even see how it would have been possible,the bumper of the truck would have hit the tires first. plus the bearings in the front wheels would never have been able to stand that kind of speed, mine are roller blade wheels in the front and just dont see 50 mph hahahaha. Just find it really hard to believe.

What a ride tho.
Brett

[00accord44]

tis true. I saw the vid on CNN after it happened. The handles looked pretty long to me but they were most definitely wedged in the grille. Seems like maybe just the back wheels were touching and he was kinda tilted back. The guy in the chair said it was fun!

[beef_bourito]

it looks like a self-propelled wheelchair, those have smaller wheels

[YogsVR4]

Originally Posted by blazee

Michigan.

good one

[jcsaleen]

Originally Posted by YogsVR4

One heck of a scary ride - he had to wonder how long the chair would hold up.

Haha that company that makes it must be very proud. Thier products have been tested up to 40 mph.