Liver transplant patient reaches hospital with the aid of snow plow convoy
Last updated 4/9/2009 10:53:48 AM
Liver transplant patient reaches hospital with the aid of snow plow convoy
A man who's battled liver disease for half of his 59 years, made it to hospital in time for a transplant thanks to a team of snowplow drivers in the United States.
A blizzard in northwest Wyoming blocked Chuck Forbes' route to the hospital when the day for his surgery finally arrived. Mr Forbes had been on a transplant waiting list for about a year when he got a surprise call telling him his transplant could go ahead.
The would-be patient and his wife Ruth made it 250 miles southeast of their home in Meeteetse, when they encountered a road-closing barrier.
A worried Mrs Forbes called 911 and was told the storm was forecast for all week. But a patrolman came on the line, heard about the couple's plan and took action.
Within minutes a convoy of plow trucks appeared. The couple followed them closely in whiteout conditions. Other trucks joined their caravan to plow a wider path. The escort involved eight snowplows and covered some 80 miles, but finally they made it to the University of Colorado Hospital in Denver.
Mr Forbes is recovering after undergoing transplant surgery and his grateful wife is full of praise for those that helped them."I hope those Wyoming Department of Transportation guys know they performed a miracle," she said. "The transplant went wonderfully."