New ambulances built for heavy duty

Emergency vehicle companies Down Under are being forced to re-tool their fleets to meet the growing problem of Australia's obesity. According to a recent Daily Telegraph article, demand for heavy-duty ambulances has more than doubled in just the last 3 years…

The new-generation ambulances are equipped with hydraulic-lift rear gates, specially designed high-strength stretchers and wheelchairs, are significantly larger than conventional ambulances - and no doubt sport stiffer springs and beefier shocks, too. They cost about $100,000 (US) more than a standard medical transporter.

But this forced adaptation of heavier-duty transportation for Aussie fatties doesn't stop with wheeled vehicles - medical helicopters with greater load capacities have also been ordered up. They're due to begin service this spring…

But this isn't such big news (sorry, couldn't resist the wordplay). Anyone with 2 eyes could've seen this coming.

Then again, we didn't here in the states - where super-sized hospital beds, stretchers, and coffins are already the norm. In fact, there's a booming new industry in medical equipment built for the plus-sized patients. These latest developments in beefed-up transportation are just a continuation of it…

It's also another indication that obesity is a worldwide problem.