Martin Rike’s doctor had recommended he start doing a “fun but safe” activity. But it doesn’t take medical school to realize the doctor is on the ball.
You see, Mr. Rike weighs 500 pounds. Attempting to take his doctor’s advice, he went with a group to tube on the St. Croix River. His tube went flat, stranding him in the water. When he tried to walk to land, he incapacitated himself by slipping, thus injuring his knee and ankle. So, he had to wait around to be rescued.
The aircraft that found him couldn’t handle his weight. For various reasons, attempts with other vehicles failed. Eventually, 40 to 50 rescuers ended up heaving-hoing him 2 feet at time on a makeshift raft to a spot where they could put him on an ambulance.
This is probably not the way most people were hoping to get their 15 minutes of fame.