Crane, cargo container and flatbed truck needed to move 1,000 lb plus man to new nursing home

A man weighing more than 1,000 lbs (450 kg, 71.5 stones) was placed inside a cargo container, then lifted by a crane, before being loaded onto a flatbed truck and taken from Providence in Rhode Island to his new home in Cranston last Sunday .



Brian Butler had been living at the Bannister House in Providence but earlier this month it was announced the nursing home with $2 million in debt was closing down. All patients including Butler would need to be moved to other facilities.





Michael Raia of the Rhode Island Executive Office of Health & Human Services said planning to move Butler to the Eleanor Slater Hospital began weeks ago. “This is a patient with very complicated medical needs and it required a coordinated approach,” Raia said.


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“His [Butler] care and safety has been our top priority throughout this transport.” The coalition to move Butler to his new home included Providence and Cranston Fire Departments, Lifespan, the Hospital Association of Rhode Island and Bay Crane Northeast. The whole operation to get Butler from Bannister House to Eleanor Slater Hospital took nearly seven hours.

With additional news video.