UNITED STATES: MAN WEIGHING 1,000 POUNDS (400 KG) IS TAKEN FROM HIS BROOKLYN HOME TO A NEW YORK HOSPITAL

Record ID: 337882

  • Title: UNITED STATES: MAN WEIGHING 1,000 POUNDS (400 KG) IS TAKEN FROM HIS BROOKLYN HOME TO A NEW YORK HOSPITAL
  • Date: 17th May 1996
  • Summary: BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (MAY 17, 1996) (RTV - ACCESS ALL) 1. GV EXTERIOR MIKE HEBRANKO'S HOUSE, WORKMEN WITH CUTTING EQUIPMENT 0.05 2. SV WORKMEN REMOVING WINDOWS 0.10 3. SLV FORKLIFT TRUCK BEING UNLOADED 0.14 4. SCU PHOTO OF YOUNGER MIKE HEBRANKO 0.17 5. SV HEBRANKO SPEAKING (ENGLISH) 0.58 6. SV WORKMEN CUTTING OUT WINDOW FRAMES 1.09 7. SV FORKLIFT LIFTING HEBRANKO FROM HOUSE (3 SHOTS) 1.34 8. SV HEBRANKO ON STRETCHER LIFTED INTO AMBULANCE 1.55 9. SV AMBULANCE OUTSIDE HOUSE 2.01 10. SV AMBULANCE DOOR BEING CLOSED 2.07 11. PRESS AND ONLOOKERS OUTSIDE HOUSE/ AMBULANCE DRIVING OFF 2.33 TRANSCRIPT; SEQUENCE 5; MIKE HEBRANKO: "BEING TAKEN OUT OF MY HOUSE LIKE THIS, I AM JUST GETTING SICKER AND SICKER. I'VE GOT TO LIVE AND NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN LIVING, AND I GUESS I SHOULD HAVE DONE THIS IN JANUARY WHEN I COULD HAVE, WITH A LOT OF DIFFICULTY, WALKED OUT THE DOOR. BUT I DIDN'T WANT THIS KIND OF SPECTACLE. PEOPLE GO TO HOSPITAL EVERY DAY, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE DYING FROM OBESITY AND WHEN SOMEONE MAKES UP THIER MIND TO GO TO HOSPITAL AND THERE IS A SPECTACLE LIKE THIS, THEY ARE NOT GOING TO GO." Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
  • Embargoed: 1st June 1996 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
  • City:
  • Country: USA
  • Reuters ID: LVAAOKRYAXSBSGTK6787K5YH85MT
  • Story Text: INTRO: An overweight American had to have part of his home dismantled because he couldn't get out for urgently needed medical attention.

    -------------------------------------------------------------------- Ambulance crews used special lifting equipment and dismantled part of a house earlier in the week, to get Mike Hebranko, a self-confessed food-aholic weighing 1000lb (450kgs) to a hospital.

    The living room in Hebranko's Brooklyn apartment had to be taken apart so a special forklift could be used to place him on a custom-built stretcher.

    Hebranko, who says he is addicted to food, can only stand for thirty seconds at a time and requires five litres of oxygen a day to help him breath.

    He was admitted to a hospital for close medical supervision in his fight against obesity.

    Previously, Mr Hebranko's lost more than 800lbs (360kgs), dropping to less than 200lbs (90kgs), while his waist shrank from 110 inches (275cms) to a modest 36 inches (90cms).

    But overeating caused his weight to balloon again and he now faces additional problems due to fluid in his lungs and overworked veins.

    Mr Hebranko requested that the media gathered outside his home should allow him to retain his dignity. He was covered in sheets while being lowered to a larger than average ambulance.


  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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