Obese Australians get super-sized ambulances

Australia's obesity crisis has forced health officials to revamp their fleet of ambulances to cope with a sharp rise in overweight patients.

Super-sized vehicles have been introduced and new air ambulances will be remodelled to carry heavier people.



Studies estimate that 67% of Australian men and over half of all women aged over 25 are overweight or obese.

So many Australians are now bulging at the waistline that ambulances are being equipped with heavy-duty stretchers.

These are capable of carrying patients weighing up to 220kg (34 st 9 lbs).