What a story Wild Ride

[MATT A]

Truck Takes Man in Wheelchair on Wild Ride

AP
PAW PAW, Mich. (June 8) - A 21-year-old man got the ride of a lifetime when his electric wheelchair became lodged in the grille of a semitrailer and was pushed down a highway for several miles at about 50 mph.



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Ben Carpenter was unharmed but was taken to a hospital as a precaution. He had been secured to his wheelchair by a seat belt. Carpenter, who has muscular dystrophy, told a television station that he thought he might not make it through the ride.

"I was probably thinking that this is going to keep going and not stop anywhere, 50 or 60 miles somewhere," he told WOOD-TV of Grand Rapids.

Ben Carpenter's father, Donald, told The Associated Press that his son had started to cross at an intersection Wednesday afternoon in Paw Paw, about 140 miles west of Detroit. The light changed to green while his son was in front of a semi, which started moving.


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The wheelchair's handles became lodged in the grille, the father said, and the wild ride started.

Motorists called 911 on their cell phones, and a pair of undercover police officers who happened to be nearby saw what was happening. They pulled the truck over and told the disbelieving driver, Donald Carpenter said.

The chair was undamaged except for losing most of the rubber on its wheels, he said.

"It's a very bad story that ended very well," he said. "We're just thrilled that he's still around."


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[Mr Derf]

Yup^

[Neon Beach]

Uh huh ^

[Mr Derf]

I saw that guy on the news. He was riding his wheelchair in circles the whole time the camera was on him. His wheelchair also has a wheelie bar.

[Nigelappler]

wowzers!

[eileen]

wow if i ever need a wheelchair i want one of those!

[cametotalktan]

That was soooooo freakin funny! poor guy

[Nigelappler]

I bet he loved every minute of it.. imagine what it would be like to see that **** going down the street BOL

[ebsungirl]

I saw this on the news this morning, it didn't faze the guy in the least, he enjoyed the ride.

[eileen]

and he has a good story to tell lol