Overview

• A 40-year-old man became wedged in the middle of a tube slide at Northeast Elementary School in Vernon, Connecticut, shortly after 4:30 p.m. Saturday.
• First units found him stuck feet and head first and in extreme discomfort as heat inside the enclosed slide became a concern.
• Responders stabilized the structure using an aerial ladder as a high point and set up ventilation to cool the confined space.
• Firefighters removed a section of the slide to access the patient, who was extricated within about 30 minutes.
• EMS evaluated him on scene and he refused treatment and transport; officials did not say why he entered the slide, and the department later posted photos praising crews’ professionalism.