480-Pound Woman Dies After Six Years On Couch

YellowBolt · 08-16-2004, 12:11 AM

MAN, is this a strange story...

600-Pound Woman Dies After Being Surgically Removed From Couch

POSTED: 3:48 pm EDT August 11, 2004
UPDATED: 10:09 pm EDT August 11, 2004

WEIRD PHOTOS: News Of The Strange Slideshow

STUART, Fla. -- A dramatic rescue ended tragically in Stuart, Florida, a rescue so difficult firefighters say they have never seen anything like it.

It happened late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning at the home of a 600-pound woman who was having trouble breathing. Rescuers went in not knowing how difficult it would be to get her out. 40-year-old Gail Grinds was literally stuck to her couch and had to be removed surgically at the hospital.

Authorities estimate she had been on the couch anywhere from two to five years.

Martin County Fire amd Rescue crews faced what seemed to be an impossible mission. Everyone going inside had to wear protective gear. The stench was so powerful they had to blast in fresh air.

They tried to cut out the front door, but at four-and-a-half feet wide, it wouldn't work. They had to cut plywood since a normal stretcher wouldn't do.

An ambulance was too small, so they brought in a trailer to get her out. While rescue crews came up with a back-door rescue plan, detectives secured what had become a crime scene, questioning family members about how it got so bad.

Using planks, they loaded the woman on to the trailer, still attached to the couch. Removing her would be too painful, since her body is grafted to the fabric. After years of staying put, her skin has literally become one with the sofa and it must be surgically removed.

Detectives are investigating whether they have a case of neglect, or if it is simply a very sad story.

Grinds was taken to the Martin Memorial hospital where doctors removed her from the couch, but she died in spite of all the attempts to save her life.

http://www.wftv.com/news/3643877/detail.html (picture included!)

I mean, jeez, how did this happen?

Cyber Wolf · 08-16-2004, 06:36 AM

We've got this one covered in this thread. Except for one thing...she was only 480lbs and not 600lb?

YellowBolt · 08-16-2004, 01:46 PM

Well, one source says 600 and another says 480. I'm guessing it's 480 that's right, but hmm... yellow journalism anyone?

perth · 08-16-2004, 01:49 PM

Depends on whether you count the couch or not. The argument could be made for it's inclusion, given the whole "skin/couch meld" thing she had going.

glatt · 08-16-2004, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by perth

Depends on whether you count the couch or not. The argument could be made for it's inclusion, given the whole "skin/couch meld" thing she had going.

Smart ass.

lookout123 · 08-16-2004, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glatt

Smart ass.

better a smart ass than a couch ass.

hmm, that sounded better in my head than it looks on the screen.

footfootfoot · 08-20-2004, 07:11 PM

This is like the train wreck of civilization; we all stop and stare but how about *intervention*?
"umm, we really need to talk about you sitting on the couch when you crap. You really need to not do that."

I'm just guessing about that last part. Since I was born w/o a tact gene I'm never invited to interventions.

Not having researched this at all, I'm willing to guess that there was some sort of relief check involved which others, limpet like, were feeding from.

Just a shot in the dark.

xoxoxoBruce · 08-20-2004, 11:49 PM

Check this thread

wolf · 08-21-2004, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by footfootfoot

I'm just guessing about that last part. Since I was born w/o a tact gene I'm never invited to interventions.

You'd actually probably do better than you thought. The lack of a tact gene can come in handy when you're attempting to clue some dumbfuck in to the harsh reality of his/her own personal stupidity.

BornAZombie · 08-22-2004, 02:14 AM

i wonder if they'll burying her still on the couch.

08-16-2004, 12:11 AM	#1
YellowBolt I lurk with the best of them Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: not close to philadelphia. :( well, not THAT close. Posts: 146	480-Pound Woman Dies After Six Years On Couch MAN, is this a strange story... 600-Pound Woman Dies After Being Surgically Removed From Couch POSTED: 3:48 pm EDT August 11, 2004 UPDATED: 10:09 pm EDT August 11, 2004 WEIRD PHOTOS: News Of The Strange Slideshow STUART, Fla. -- A dramatic rescue ended tragically in Stuart, Florida, a rescue so difficult firefighters say they have never seen anything like it. It happened late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning at the home of a 600-pound woman who was having trouble breathing. Rescuers went in not knowing how difficult it would be to get her out. 40-year-old Gail Grinds was literally stuck to her couch and had to be removed surgically at the hospital. Authorities estimate she had been on the couch anywhere from two to five years. Martin County Fire amd Rescue crews faced what seemed to be an impossible mission. Everyone going inside had to wear protective gear. The stench was so powerful they had to blast in fresh air. They tried to cut out the front door, but at four-and-a-half feet wide, it wouldn't work. They had to cut plywood since a normal stretcher wouldn't do. An ambulance was too small, so they brought in a trailer to get her out. While rescue crews came up with a back-door rescue plan, detectives secured what had become a crime scene, questioning family members about how it got so bad. Using planks, they loaded the woman on to the trailer, still attached to the couch. Removing her would be too painful, since her body is grafted to the fabric. After years of staying put, her skin has literally become one with the sofa and it must be surgically removed. Detectives are investigating whether they have a case of neglect, or if it is simply a very sad story. Grinds was taken to the Martin Memorial hospital where doctors removed her from the couch, but she died in spite of all the attempts to save her life. http://www.wftv.com/news/3643877/detail.html (picture included!) I mean, jeez, how did this happen?

08-16-2004, 06:36 AM	#2
Cyber Wolf As stable as a ring of PU-239 Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: On a huge rock covered in water, highly advanced moss and 7 billion parasites Posts: 1,264	We've got this one covered in this thread. Except for one thing...she was only 480lbs and not 600lb? __________________ "I don't see what's so triffic about creating people as people and then getting' upset 'cos they act like people." ~Adam Young, Good Omens "I don't see why it matters what is written. Not when it's about people. It can always be crossed out." ~Adam Young, Good Omens

08-20-2004, 07:11 PM	#7
footfootfoot To shreds, you say? Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: in the house and on the street-how many, many feet we meet! Posts: 18,449	This is like the train wreck of civilization; we all stop and stare but how about intervention? "umm, we really need to talk about you sitting on the couch when you crap. You really need to not do that." I'm just guessing about that last part. Since I was born w/o a tact gene I'm never invited to interventions. Not having researched this at all, I'm willing to guess that there was some sort of relief check involved which others, limpet like, were feeding from. Just a shot in the dark. Last edited by footfootfoot; 08-20-2004 at 07:14 PM. Reason: attempted spelling

08-20-2004, 11:49 PM	#8
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Check this thread __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

08-16-2004, 01:46 PM	#3
YellowBolt I lurk with the best of them Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: not close to philadelphia. :( well, not THAT close. Posts: 146	Well, one source says 600 and another says 480. I'm guessing it's 480 that's right, but hmm... yellow journalism anyone?

08-16-2004, 01:49 PM	#4
perth Strong Silent Type Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 1,949	Depends on whether you count the couch or not. The argument could be made for it's inclusion, given the whole "skin/couch meld" thing she had going.

08-22-2004, 02:14 AM	#10
BornAZombie Sibling of the Commonweal Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 16	i wonder if they'll burying her still on the couch.

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