New York, NY. -11 Feb. 2009- Staff. NYPD and NYFD finally freed a local man this evening after his foot had become lodged in a public urinal during an altercation.
Authories identified the victim as only by his first name, Ryan, and specified that he was a 25 year old man from Manhattan. Though authorities arrived on the scene relatively quickly, Ryan had already, through repeated attempts to free himself, worked his leg into the urinal almost all the way up to his right knee.
First repsonders were not able to get him out using physcial force, but they were able to free him after several hours using specialized heavy equipment in a delicate operation to cut the urinal out of the wall without causing physcial harm.
Details of the altercation leading up to the rescue are unclear, but witnesses say that after another man refused to share food, Ryan flew into an uncontrollable rage, kicking at random and screaming non-sequiturs. One witness quoted Ryan as yelling “stop hiding your candy” several times.
Soon after the disturbance began, Ryan’s foot somehow became lodged in the urinal. The other man, who remains unidentified, then departed the scene.
Ryan also left the scene quickly after he was cut free just after 10pm Eastern Time, but NYFD spokesperson Clint Bonesteel provided an approximated timeline of the rescue.
- 2:00 pm ET- Ryan is refused candy
- 2:02 pm ET- Ryan’s foot becomes stuck
- 2:30 pm- Ryan is discovered by residents
- 2:45 pm- NYPD arrives on scene
- 3:00 pm- First rescue attempt fails; NYFD is called
- 3:15 pm- NYFD arrives on scene
- 3:45 pm- Specialist consultants contacted after second failed rescue
- 4:30 pm- Third rescue attempt fails
- 5:30 pm- Call for specialized equipment goes out
- 6:00 pm- Specialized equipment is located in Philadelphia
- 8:30 pm- Equipment arrives on scene
- 10:00 pm- Victim is freed
Mr. Bonesteel says this type of incident is rare, but stressed that it is important in emergency situations to respect your immediate environment and stay calm. “You could be in a simple, unfurnished room and still get yourself into trouble,” he added. “The main thing is to relax and not make the situation worse by struggling, crying or calling people who can’t help you. Instead of your mother, call the authorities first and stay calm until they arrive.”
MuckFlash 